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The twenty imports Pakistan is best placed to replace.

Pakistan imported USD 39bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 29bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 9.9bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
230products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
874products Pakistan already exports well
552product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Pakistan already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Pakistan would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Pakistan does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Yarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), textured, of polyesters, not for retail sale, not...HS 540233

    Comes fromChina 90%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: from high tenacity yarn, of nylon, other polyamides... (exports USD 13m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 189m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 296m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); China supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 296mdown 3% on 2022
  2. 2

    Derivatives of hydrocarbons n.e.c. in heading no. 2904, whether or not halogenatedHS 290499

    Comes fromKuwait 99%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDerivatives of hydrocarbons: containing only nitro or only nitroso... (exports USD 13m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well2

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 189m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Kuwait supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 189mdown 25% on 2022
  3. 3

    Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into...HS 854143

    Comes fromChina 100%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric accumulators: lead-acid, of a kind used for starting piston... (exports USD 33m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 2.1bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 2.1bnup 138% on 2022
  4. 4

    Cotton: not carded or combedHS 520100

    Comes fromUnited States 41%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns... (exports USD 509m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 19m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 1.9bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); United States supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 1.9bndown 22% on 2022
  5. 5

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate)HS 310530

    Comes fromChina 41%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: phosphatic, n.e.c. in heading no.... (exports USD 8m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 594m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); China supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 594mup 14% on 2022
  6. 6

    Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a...HS 720839

    Comes fromChina 60%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not... (exports USD 48m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 554m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 320m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 320mdown 44% on 2022
  7. 7

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000ccHS 870321

    Comes fromJapan 86%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMotorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles: fitted with an auxiliary... (exports USD 24m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 955k; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 806m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 283m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); Japan supplies 86 per cent (2).

    USD 283mdown 25% on 2022
  8. 8

    Fibres: synthetic staple fibres, of polyesters, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinningHS 550320

    Comes fromChina 54%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: plain weave, of polyester staple fibres, containing... (exports USD 56m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 253m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); China supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 253mup 47% on 2022
  9. 9

    Fabrics: pile fabrics (excluding long pile and loop pile), of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 600192

    Comes fromChina 100%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 18m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 561k
    Countries that export it well3

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 146m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (2); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 146mup 61% on 2022
  10. 10

    Natural calcium phosphates, natural aluminium calcium phosphates and phosphatic chalk: ungroundHS 251010

    Comes fromMorocco 84%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement clinkers (whether or not coloured) (exports USD 176m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 131m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Morocco supplies 84 per cent (2).

    USD 131mup 50% on 2022
  11. 11

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with aluminium zinc-alloysHS 721061

    Comes fromChina 96%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not... (exports USD 48m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 130m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 99m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); China supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 99mup 105% on 2022
  12. 12

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyedHS 600632

    Comes fromChina 96%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings... (exports USD 18m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 47m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); China supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 47mdown 29% on 2022
  13. 13

    Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713

    Comes fromChina 88%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric accumulators: lead-acid, of a kind used for starting piston... (exports USD 33m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 312k; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 483m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 1.6bnup 157% on 2022
  14. 14

    Phosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acidsHS 280920

    Comes fromMorocco 99%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCarbonates: disodium carbonate (exports USD 49m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.1bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Morocco supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 1.1bnup 57% on 2022
  15. 15

    Fibres: artificial staple fibres, of viscose, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinningHS 550410

    Comes fromIndonesia 55%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: plain weave, of polyester staple fibres, containing... (exports USD 56m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 18k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 97m
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 197m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); Indonesia supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 197mdown 34% on 2022
  16. 16

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230400

    Comes fromNigeria 42%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or... (exports USD 25m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 64k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 154m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Nigeria supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 154mfrom USD 516k in 2022
  17. 17

    Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of liquid crystals, with drivers or...HS 852491

    Comes fromChina 100%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric accumulators: lead-acid, of a kind used for starting piston... (exports USD 33m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 18k
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 153m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 153mup 327% on 2022
  18. 18

    Ferrous waste and scrap: of alloy steel (excluding stainless)HS 720429

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 55%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not... (exports USD 48m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 329k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 1.5bn
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 142m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); United Kingdom supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 142mdown 32% on 2022
  19. 19

    Antibiotics: n.e.c. in heading no. 2941HS 294190

    Comes fromChina 85%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDerivatives of hydrocarbons: containing only nitro or only nitroso... (exports USD 13m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 17k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 18m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 122m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 122mup 8% on 2022
  20. 20

    Vessels: warshipsHS 890610

    Comes fromRomania 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 118m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Pakistan's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); Romania supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 118ma year

One line per customs heading. Products Pakistan already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Clothing: worn, and other worn articles imports USD 315m, exports USD 179m, top source United Kingdom 35%
  • Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by... imports USD 91m, exports USD 2m, top source China 84%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated)... imports USD 126m, exports USD 48m, top source China 85%
  • Lead: unwrought, refined imports USD 108m, exports USD 40m, top source United Arab Emirates 41%
  • Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by... imports USD 70m, exports USD 7m, top source Uzbekistan 45%
  • Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by... imports USD 59m, exports USD 1m, top source China 97%
  • Dyes: vat dyes (including those usable in that state as pigments) and... imports USD 64m, exports USD 17m, top source China 87%
  • Yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple (folded) or cabled yarn, of synthetic... imports USD 35m, exports USD 1m, top source China 100%
  • Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of combed fibres, 85% or more by... imports USD 36m, exports USD 5m, top source China 98%
  • Yarn: (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely... imports USD 38m, exports USD 9m, top source China 66%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 552 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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