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Importing Italian Marble to Pakistan — Costs, Duty & Process
Buying at origin
Serious importers buy blocks and slabs at the quarry face in Carrara or at the Verona stone fairs — chosen by eye, not from a catalogue. A block bought unseen is a lottery; this is why we travel for our own selections and why 'importer's grade' matters more than the stone's name.
Freight and the ocean leg
Blocks travel as break-bulk or in open-top containers from Italian ports to Karachi. Freight is priced by tonnage — and a marble block weighs what a loaded truck weighs — so ocean freight is a real fraction of your final rate.
Duty, taxes, and clearing
Imported marble attracts customs duty and taxes at Karachi Port, cleared against proper HS codes. This is the second big layer on the Italian quarry price. Anyone quoting imported marble dramatically under market is answering a question you should ask.
From Karachi to your floor
Blocks travel by road to Lahore, are gang-sawn into slabs at our RUDA facility, polished on the eight-stage line, and only then priced for sale. Because we process in-house, damage risk and middlemen margins are cut out of your rate.
Should you import directly?
For a single house — no; minimums, risk, and clearing complexity outweigh savings. For projects above container scale, we structure direct imports for clients with our own selection at origin. Talk to us before you commit to anyone.
Frequently asked questions
How long does marble import to Pakistan take?
Roughly six to ten weeks from purchase in Italy to slabs in Lahore, depending on sailing schedules and clearing.
Can I import marble directly for my house?
Technically yes, practically unwise below container scale — minimums and clearing risk outweigh savings. Buy from an importer who selects at origin.
Why do imported slab prices differ between sellers?
Grade at purchase, filling, thickness, and honesty of the importer. Always inspect the actual slabs you are buying.