The Punjab government has decided to impose a 0.90 per cent cess on imports and exports.
According to details surfaced on Thursday, the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess (Amendment) Act 2026 was passed by a majority vote in the Punjab Assembly.
Under the text of the Act, a 0.90 per cent cess will apply to goods produced, manufactured and consumed in Punjab in the event of export.
The Act stated that a 0.90 per cent cess will apply to imported goods, exports, and imported items passing through the territorial limits of Punjab.
According to the text, the relevant authority will appoint cess officers, who will hold the authority to monitor and verify any goods.
The authority will also permit checkpoints at entry and exit points of Punjab, as well as other necessary locations.
The Act stated that cess officers may seek assistance from the Customs Department and law enforcement agencies where required.
The amendments will introduce changes to the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess Act 2015, while the final approval of the bill will rest with the Governor of Punjab.
Punjab Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman said the cess was being imposed only on imports and exports. He said the levy was not new and had existed for a long period, adding that the government was only improving the existing system.
He said other provinces collected a higher amount under similar arrangements, while Punjab collected less. He added that the cess applied only to customs-related goods entering or leaving the country.
Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman said Sindh was collecting Rs170 billion under the head, whereas Punjab was collecting only Rs9 billion to Rs10 billion.
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