Pakistan is the world's 4th largest rice exporter, shipping over 4 million metric tons annually to 50+ countries. Whether you are importing basmati for retail shelves in the UK or bulk IRRI-6 rice from Pakistan for food processing in East Africa, the process follows a standard workflow.
Choose Your Variety and Grade
Pakistan exports 6 main varieties: 1121 Basmati (premium, 8.3mm grain), Super Kernel Basmati (7.2mm), PK386 (mid-range, 6.8mm), IRRI-6 (bulk, 6.0mm, available in 5% to 100% broken), IRRI-9 (6.8mm), and D98 Basmati (economy). Each variety comes in White (raw), Sella (parboiled), or Steam processing types.
Request a Quote
Contact the exporter's sales desk with your requirements: variety, quantity (minimum 2 x 20' FCL for basmati, 5 x 20' FCL for non-basmati), destination port, packaging preference, and preferred Incoterm (FOB, CNF, or CIF). A professional exporter will confirm pricing within 24 business hours.
Agree on Payment Terms
Standard payment for new buyers is 100% irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight. After establishing a track record (typically 3-5 shipments), exporters may offer T/T terms (30% advance, 70% against BL copy) or CAD (Cash Against Documents). The L/C is opened through your bank in favor of the exporter's bank in Pakistan.
Processing and Inspection
Once the L/C is received, the exporter processes the rice to your specification. Before loading, an independent independent pre-shipment inspection verifies grain quality, broken percentage, moisture content, packing integrity, and container weight. The SGS certificate is included in the shipping documents.
Shipping and Documentation
The exporter arranges container stuffing at their mill, transport to Karachi port or Port Qasim, and vessel booking. Full documentation includes:
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Fumigation Certificate
- Health Certificate
- Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate
Clearance at Destination
Transit times from Karachi: GCC 4-9 days, East Africa 10-16 days, West Africa 18-22 days, Europe 18-24 days, China 14-18 days, USA 25-30 days. Your clearing agent at destination uses the shipping documents for customs clearance. Ensure you have the required import certifications for your market (PVOC, SASO, FDA registration, etc.).
Check current FOB Karachi prices and use the CNF calculator to estimate your landed cost at any destination port.