If you handle cross-border trade within South Asia, you already know how quickly a single customs query or tariff classification issue can stall a shipment. This page explains how to reach the SAARC Trade team, what kinds of queries we handle, and what information to include so you get a useful response faster.
Who We Respond To
SAARC Trade primarily serves B2B users: exporters, freight forwarders, customs agents, procurement managers, and trade compliance officers operating across SAARC member states.
We also assist:
- Trade researchers and policy analysts tracking regional economic data
- SMEs entering South Asian markets for the first time
- Logistics providers needing country-specific customs procedures
- Journalists and academics referencing trade statistics or SAARC agreements
We do not provide legal representation, act as a customs broker, or file documentation on behalf of third parties.
What You Can Ask Us
The table below maps query types to the level of support we can provide.
| Query Type | Support Available | Typical Response Time |
|---|---|---|
| SAFTA tariff rates and product classification | Detailed guidance | 2-3 business days |
| Customs documentation checklists by country | Standard templates + notes | 1-2 business days |
| Trade barrier identification (NTBs, SPS, TBT) | Research assistance | 3-5 business days |
| Export licensing requirements | Country-specific overviews | 2-4 business days |
| Regional logistics routes and transit costs | General data, not real-time quotes | 2-3 business days |
| SAARC trade agreement interpretation | Explanatory summaries | 3-5 business days |
| Statistical data requests (trade volumes, BoP) | Aggregated public-source data | 2-3 business days |
| Bilateral trade disputes or sanctions | Not covered | N/A |
How to Contact Us
Use the contact form on this page. Email inquiries are processed during working hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00 IST (UTC+5:30).
When submitting a query, structure your message as follows:
- Your role - Exporter, freight agent, researcher, etc.
- Countries involved - e.g., India to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh to Nepal
- Product category or HS code - Even a rough classification helps route your query correctly
- Specific question - Avoid vague asks like "tell me about customs." Instead: "What import duties apply to HS 6203 garments entering Pakistan from Bangladesh under SAFTA?"
- Urgency - Mention if there is a shipment deadline or regulatory deadline attached
Queries submitted without country context or product information take significantly longer to process.
Response Standards
We handle a structured queue, not a live chat service. Here is what to expect:
- Acknowledgement within 24 hours on business days
- First substantive response within the timeframes listed in the table above
- Follow-up questions, if needed, within the same thread
- No automated responses beyond the initial acknowledgement
If your query involves multiple countries or complex supply chain scenarios, we may break the response into stages.
Country Coverage Across SAARC
All eight SAARC member states fall within our coverage area.
| Country | Common Query Areas |
|---|---|
| India | Export licensing, RoDTEP scheme, customs EDI, FTP 2023-28 updates |
| Bangladesh | RMG export compliance, EPZ regulations, NBR customs procedures |
| Pakistan | SRO-based tariff notifications, WEBOC filing, SPS requirements |
| Sri Lanka | Customs Ordinance updates, BOI procedures, port congestion impacts |
| Nepal | Transit trade with India, TDGL corridor, customs valuation disputes |
| Bhutan | India-Bhutan trade treaty, zero-tariff item lists, cross-border logistics |
| Maldives | GST on imports, port entry procedures, perishable goods handling |
| Afghanistan | Limited coverage; transit trade through Pakistan and Iran only |
Coverage depth varies by country. India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have the most detailed documentation. For Bhutan and the Maldives, queries may take an additional 1-2 days.
What We Do Not Handle
Being specific about limitations saves time on both sides.
- Real-time freight quotes: We do not have live access to carrier pricing
- HS code rulings with legal standing: Only national customs authorities issue binding rulings
- Visa or travel documentation: Contact the respective embassy or high commission
- Payment disputes between trade parties: Outside scope entirely
- SAARC Secretariat official communications: For formal correspondence with SAARC institutions, contact the SAARC Secretariat directly in Kathmandu
- Sanctions screening or AML compliance: Requires a licensed compliance provider
For Researchers and Policy Teams
If you are working on a trade policy brief, academic paper, or economic assessment involving South Asian trade data, we can help with:
- Pointing to current data sources: UN Comtrade, World Bank WITS, SAARC Secretariat annual reports, national customs boards
- Contextualising tariff schedules under SAFTA, APTA, and bilateral FTAs
- Explaining non-tariff barrier categories as classified by UNCTAD
Note that all data we provide is sourced from public records. We do not have proprietary trade intelligence.
Media and Publication Inquiries
Journalists covering South Asian trade, logistics, or regional economic integration are welcome to submit queries through the same contact form. Mark the subject line clearly as "Media Inquiry."
We can provide:
- Background on intra-SAARC trade trends (intra-regional trade remains below 6% of total South Asian trade as of 2024, compared to over 25% in ASEAN)
- Commentary on specific policy developments such as Pakistan-India trade normalisation discussions, BIMSTEC-SAARC overlap, or SAFTA utilisation rates
- Factual corrections to trade figures cited in published articles
Attribution requests are reviewed case by case.
Typical Query Examples
The following are examples of questions our team has addressed, representing the type of specificity that results in fast, useful responses.
Example 1: "We export textile accessories (HS 5806) from India to Sri Lanka. Under SAFTA, what is the applicable tariff rate, and does Sri Lanka maintain this product on its sensitive list?"
Example 2: "Our cargo transits through Kolkata port to Nepal via the Raxaul-Birgunj corridor. What transit documentation is required under the India-Nepal Trade Treaty, and has the revised treaty text from 2023 changed the fee structure?"
Example 3: "We are assessing Pakistan as a new import market for processed foods (HS Chapter 19). What SPS certifications are required, and what is the typical customs clearance timeline at Karachi port?"
These questions are specific, include HS codes or product descriptions, identify both origin and destination countries, and reference a particular regulation or procedural concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to receive a response after submitting the contact form?
You will receive an acknowledgement within 24 business hours. The first substantive response depends on query complexity: straightforward tariff or documentation questions are typically answered within 1-2 business days, while multi-country or regulatory interpretation queries may take 3-5 business days. Queries missing key details such as HS codes, country pairs, or a specific question take longer because we need to ask for clarification first.
Can SAARC Trade help with disputes between a buyer and a seller in two different SAARC countries?
No. Commercial disputes between trade parties require either contractual arbitration, national court proceedings, or mediation through bodies such as the ICC or regional chambers of commerce. We handle trade procedure and regulatory guidance, not dispute resolution. If your issue relates to a customs valuation dispute with a national authority, we can explain the general appeals process, but we cannot represent you or intervene directly.
Is the information provided by SAARC Trade legally binding for customs purposes?
No. All guidance provided through this platform is informational and based on publicly available sources including SAARC Secretariat documents, national customs board notifications, WTO trade policy reviews, and UN agency data. For a binding tariff ruling or customs classification decision, you must apply directly to the relevant national customs authority: CBIC in India, NBR in Bangladesh, FBR in Pakistan, Sri Lanka Customs, and so on. Binding advance rulings typically require a formal application and take 30-90 days depending on the jurisdiction.
Does SAARC Trade cover trade between South Asian countries and external partners like China, the UAE, or the EU?
Our primary focus is intra-SAARC trade and trade procedures governed by SAFTA, bilateral treaties within the region, and national import/export regulations of the eight member states. For South Asia's trade with external partners, we can provide partial guidance where it intersects with South Asian customs procedures, for example, how Indian SEZ rules affect re-export to the EU, or how Bangladesh handles the post-LDC graduation adjustment under EU GSP. Comprehensive guidance on bilateral agreements between SAARC members and third countries is outside our standard scope.
Before You Submit
A well-structured query typically gets a better answer than a broad one. Before using the contact form:
- Check the trade guides section of this site for standard documentation checklists, tariff overview tables, and country-specific customs summaries
- If your question is about SAFTA tariff schedules, the SAARC Secretariat publishes updated sensitive lists annually
- For real-time tariff lookups, the World Bank WITS database and each country's national customs portal allow product-level tariff searches without submitting a query
If you have reviewed existing resources and still need clarification or country-specific context that is not covered, the contact form is the right next step.