Pakistan copper exports cross $1bn mark in shipments to China

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s copper exports have recorded a strong surge in the current fiscal year, crossing the $1 billion threshold in shipments to China during the first eight months of FY2025-26, the official customs data revealed. Overall exports of copper and related products stood at more than $1.30 billion between July and February. China remained the largest buyer, importing copper ingots worth around $1.02 billion while exports of other copper-based products contributed nearly $280 million. The data highlighted a sharp rise in copper ingot exports over the period, increasing from $52.894 million in July 2025 to $393.126 million in March, indicating sustained monthly growth in the sector. The industry sources said Pakistan’s copper exports are not limited to China and are also reaching markets such as the United States and Canada, reflecting rising global demand for processed and recycled metal products. The officials and exporters attributed this growth largely to the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), which has helped streamline procedures for recycled metals and encouraged documented trade. They added that under S.R.O. 1435(I)/2025 issued by the Federal Board of Revenue, taxes and duties on imported iron and steel content are collected at the import stage, while locally recovered copper is exported as a value-added product within a regulated framework. The industry participants said the policy environment has strengthened formal trade channels, reduced informal activity, and promoted value addition instead of raw material exports. Pakistan’s copper export potential, the experts believe, could increase further to between $2 billion and $3 billion in the coming years if the current policy framework and global demand trends continue. It may be mentioned here that the expansion in copper exports has also generated broader economic activity, benefiting processors, refiners, logistics companies, warehouse operators, labour providers and small and medium enterp