TAJ FISHERIES (PVT) LTD — Bill of Lading Data

Sample Bill of Lading Data for TAJ FISHERIES (PVT) LTD — Pakistan-based frozen freshwater fish importer. Verified trade record dated 5 October 2016 showing frozen fish shipment from India to Pakistan in a 40-foot refrigerated (reefer) container.

📋 Sample Bill of Lading Record — Verified Trade Data

Below is a verified bill of lading record showing TAJ FISHERIES PVT LTD's import of frozen freshwater fish into Pakistan from India. The shipment was made on 5 October 2016 in a 40-foot refrigerated (reefer) container carrying 1,350 master cartons (MC) of frozen freshwater fish — total net weight 27,000 kg and gross weight 28,350 kg (28.35 metric tonnes). The importer — TAJ FISHERIES (PVT) LTD — operates from Pakistan and is one of the country's established frozen fish importers serving the local seafood distribution market.

📌 Data Source: Customs trade intelligence database (mirror of shipping manifests). HS code is recorded as "null" in the source record — the appropriate HS classification for frozen freshwater fish is HS 0303 (Frozen fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 03.04), with subheading 0303.95 (Other freshwater fish) being most likely applicable for this shipment.

🚢 Shipment Logistics — Refrigerated Container (Reefer)

This sample B/L describes a 1×40 RF container — meaning one 40-foot refrigerated ("reefer") container. Reefer containers are specialized intermodal containers with integrated refrigeration units that maintain cargo temperatures between −25°C and +25°C, depending on the product. For frozen fish, the standard set-point is −18°C to −22°C, which preserves the fish for 6-12 months of storage life.

Container specification: A standard 40ft reefer container (40' RF) has internal dimensions of 11.58 m (L) × 2.29 m (W) × 2.20 m (H), giving a usable volume of 58.67 m³. The maximum payload capacity is approximately 27-30 metric tonnes — this shipment (28.35 MT gross weight) is at the upper end of the reefer's capacity, indicating efficient consolidation. The container would have been pre-cooled to −18°C before loading and connected to ship's power throughout the voyage to maintain temperature integrity.

Standard cold-chain sequence for Indo-Pak fish trade: (1) Fishing & landing at Indian port (e.g., Vizag, Veraval); (2) Onshore freezing at −40°C (blast freezer or plate freezer) within 4 hours of catch to lock in freshness; (3) Cold storage at −25°C at processor's facility; (4) Container loading with pre-cooled reefer at −18°C; (5) Third-country routing via Jebel Ali (UAE) or Bandar Abbas (Iran) to bypass Indo-Pak direct trade restrictions; (6) Discharge at Karachi Port (KPT) or Port Qasim (PQP); (7) Customs clearance and cold storage at −18°C; (8) Wholesale distribution via refrigerated trucks to inland markets.

📊 B/L Record Field-by-Field Explanation — 11 Trade Data Fields

🐟 Pakistan Fisheries Industry Overview

Pakistan's fisheries sector is a significant contributor to the country's economy, generating approximately USD 350 million in annual seafood trade (combining imports and exports). Pakistan has a coastline of approximately 1,050 km along the Arabian Sea (Sindh and Balochistan coasts), and the country's total annual fish production is around 400,000 tonnes — of which 70% is marine catch and 30% is from inland freshwater sources (rivers, lakes, reservoirs). Pakistan's main fishing ports are Karachi Fish Harbour (KFH) — handling 80% of national catch — and Korangi Fish Harbour, plus Pasni, Gwadar, and Ormara along the Balochistan coast.

Pakistan's frozen fish imports are driven by the domestic demand for freshwater fish varieties (especially Indian major carps — rohu, catla, mrigal) that are not sufficiently produced in Pakistan's freshwater bodies. Annual imports of frozen freshwater fish reach approximately 40,000-50,000 metric tonnes, with India historically being the largest supplier (despite trade restrictions), followed by Vietnam (pangasius / basa), Myanmar, Thailand, and China. Major Pakistani importers like TAJ FISHERIES, MCC Fisheries, and other Karachi-based seafood companies import fish through Jebel Ali (UAE) or Bandar Abbas (Iran) trans-shipment hubs to bypass Indo-Pak direct trade limitations.

HS 0303 (Frozen fish) — Pakistani customs classification: Pakistan applies customs duty of 20% on frozen fish imports (HS 0303), plus 17% Sales Tax (GST) and 2% Additional Sales Tax. For SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) member countries (which includes India in principle), preferential duty rates apply — but in practice, direct Indo-Pak trade is restricted and routed through third countries (typically UAE or Iran). Effective landed cost at Karachi port = FOB price + freight + insurance + 20% customs duty + 17% GST + 2% AST + handling charges. Frozen fish is distributed to local wholesale markets via refrigerated trucks to inland cities (Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, Islamabad).

🌍 Indo-Pak Fish Trade via Third-Country Routing

Direct trade between India and Pakistan is restricted and limited to a few land-route crossings (Wagah-Attari). For maritime cargo, direct India→Pakistan shipping routes are practically non-existent due to political constraints. Consequently, Indo-Pak fish trade and other commercial cargo typically transits through third-country re-export hubs:

• Jebel Ali Port, UAE (Dubai): The dominant third-country routing hub. Indian exporters ship to Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), consolidate with other South Asian-bound cargo, and re-export to Karachi. Major re-exporters include Emirati and Indian-owned trading firms. Estimated 60% of Indo-Pak fish trade transits through Dubai.
• Bandar Abbas, Iran: Iran's Persian Gulf port serves as a secondary routing hub, particularly for frozen food and agro-commodities. Estimated 25% of Indo-Pak fish trade uses Iranian trans-shipment.
• Singapore Port (PSA): Smaller volume (5-10%) routes through Singapore's global trans-shipment hub, particularly for premium frozen seafood categories (shrimp, lobster, crab).
• Salalah Port, Oman: Emerging alternative route, particularly for high-value frozen seafood. About 5% of trade volume.

For the TAJ FISHERIES sample B/L above dated 5 October 2016, while the supply country is recorded as India and the buyer country is recorded as Pakistan, the shipment almost certainly transited through one of these third-country hubs (most likely Jebel Ali) before arriving at Karachi Port. The buyer (TAJ FISHERIES) would have established commercial arrangements with a Dubai-based intermediary to facilitate the import. This pattern is common in South Asian food trade and reflects geopolitical realities affecting direct commercial relations between India and Pakistan.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the HS code shown as "null" in this record?
The original customs source record did not include an explicit HS code — this is common in older trade data (pre-2018). The correct HS classification for this shipment, based on the product description "frozen freshwater fish", is HS 0303 (Frozen fish, excluding fillets), specifically subheading 0303.95 (Other freshwater fish, frozen). TurkExim's full subscription database includes reconstructed HS codes for all historical records.

Q2: How can fish be shipped from India to Pakistan given trade restrictions?
Direct Indo-Pak maritime trade is restricted. Fish exports from India to Pakistan typically transit through Jebel Ali (Dubai, UAE) or Bandar Abbas (Iran) re-export hubs. Indian exporters ship to a Dubai-based intermediary who consolidates cargo and re-exports to Karachi. The original supply country (India) is still recorded in customs data, but the routing involves third-country trans-shipment.

Q3: What does "1×40 RF" mean?
"1×40 RF" means one 40-foot refrigerated container (reefer). RF = Refrigerated/Reefer. A 40ft reefer container has internal volume of 58.67 m³ and maximum payload of approximately 27-30 metric tonnes. For frozen fish, the container is set to −18°C to −22°C to preserve the cargo for 6-12 months.

Q4: How can I get the full TAJ FISHERIES shipment history or other Pakistani fish importer B/L data?
TurkExim Data Desk maintains a full Pakistan fisheries importer database covering 25,000+ verified B/L records (2015-2025) for all Karachi-based fish importers including TAJ FISHERIES, MCC Fisheries, and others. For the full TAJ FISHERIES shipment history (2016-2025) or to search for any other Pakistani fish importer, contact TurkExim via WhatsApp +90 501 037 37 64. Excel/CSV formats, monthly updates.

Pakistan Fisheries Import Database — 25,000+ B/L Records — TurkExim

Unlock the full Pakistan Fisheries Importer Database — 25,000+ verified B/L records (2015-2025) covering all major Karachi-based fish importers including TAJ FISHERIES. Each record contains 11 trade data fields including trade date, HS code, product, supplier, buyer, country, weight, quantity, USD value. Excel/CSV formats. Monthly updates. WhatsApp for pricing.

Hafta içi 09:00-18:00 — average 15 min response. Weekend: 24 hr response.