CPEC Logistics: Moving Cargo on the China–Pakistan Trade Corridor

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has transformed logistics connectivity between China and Pakistan, creating new overland routes for commercial cargo alongside traditional ocean freight from Chinese ports.

CPEC Trade Routes

Key corridors for China–Pakistan cargo include:

• Khunjerab Pass (Karakoram Highway) — overland route from Kashgar and western China to northern Pakistan
• Ocean freight via Shanghai/Ningbo to Karachi — still the highest-volume route for containerised trade
• Rail connections — developing freight rail links connecting inland China to Gwadar and Karachi

Each route offers different cost, transit time, and capacity profiles.

Ocean Freight from China to Karachi

The majority of China–Pakistan trade still moves by ocean. Transit times from Shanghai to Karachi average 18–22 days; from Shenzhen, 16–20 days. MTX books directly with major carriers on this lane for both FCL and LCL shipments.

Overland CPEC Freight

Overland routes through the Karakoram Highway suit:

• Urgent cargo that cannot wait for ocean transit
• Northern Pakistan destinations (Gilgit, Islamabad, Peshawar)
• Project cargo and oversized equipment for CPEC infrastructure projects

Road transit requires border clearance at Khunjerab, seasonal weather considerations, and specialised trucking permits.

Import Procedures for Chinese Goods

Importers of Chinese goods benefit from the China–Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), which provides reduced or zero customs duty on thousands of tariff lines. Valid certificate of origin (Form X or RCEP where applicable) is mandatory to claim preferential rates.

MTX China–Pakistan Expertise

MTX manages import and export cargo between China and Pakistan daily — coordinating ocean freight, customs clearance, overland transit, and last-mile delivery. Request a quote for your next China–Pakistan shipment.