Facts on this page were checked in September 2026. Sources are listed with each figure. Fiscal years in Pakistan run from July to June.
The short answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Known for | The gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, and Pakistan's gem market |
| Main export products | Gemstones, Marble and onyx, Handicrafts, Dry fruits and nuts, Carpets and rugs |
| How goods leave | Containers by road or rail to Karachi. Azakhel dry port near Nowshera. Bacha Khan International Airport |
| Province | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Do you buy our goods? | No. We are your US partner, not a distributor. You sell directly to US buyers. |
Peshawar exports: the numbers
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Share of Pakistan's exports that clear in Peshawar | 0.08 percent | Pakistan Single Window (PSW) assessment report, as reported by ProPakistani, 2024 |
| Rashakai Special Economic Zone | About 1,000 acres on the M-1 motorway, developed with China Road and Bridge Corporation | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC) |
What Peshawar makes for the US market
Peshawar trades gemstones, marble, rugs, dry fruits, Peshawari chappals, brass and copper ware and other crafts. Its Namak Mandi is Pakistan's largest market for rough gemstones.
Peshawar's markets trade gemstones from the north, marble from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, handwoven rugs, dry fruits, Peshawari chappal and crafts. US buyers want these products but need clear photos, honest descriptions and a US contact.
Where the factories are
| Area | What is there |
|---|---|
| Hayatabad Industrial Estate | Peshawar's main industrial estate, on the city's western side |
| Namak Mandi | The historic gem and mineral market in the old city, trading emeralds from Swat, aquamarine from Gilgit-Baltistan and pink topaz from Mardan |
| Rashakai Special Economic Zone, Nowshera | CPEC's first completed special economic zone, near the Azakhel dry port |
| Karkhano Market and the Ring Road | Trading and wholesale markets |
How goods leave Peshawar
Peshawar sits on the M-1 motorway to Islamabad and the road to Torkham on the Afghan border. Trade with Afghanistan has been suspended since October 2025, which has hit Peshawar's traders. For US exports, goods go by road or rail to Karachi, often cleared at Azakhel dry port.
Business bodies in Peshawar
- Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI Peshawar)
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT)
We name these organizations to help you find local support. It does not mean we have a relationship with them.
How we help Peshawar exporters
- Register your US company with a Chicago address and US phone number
- Build your English website and catalog with US sizes and prices, built to be found on Google
- Set up Amazon USA or a Shopify store for retail sales
- Find US buyers by cold outreach, send samples from Chicago and follow up every quote
- Check buyers before you ship on credit
You never need to travel. We work by phone, video call and email, in English and Urdu. Chicago is 10 to 11 hours behind Pakistan, so US buyer questions are answered during the US working day.
How to start
- Tell us about your products. Use our quote form or call us.
- Get a plan and price. We reply by email with the package that fits and the full cost.
- We set up your US presence. Company, website, catalog and store, depending on your plan.
- We start selling. Outreach to US buyers begins and you get a report every month.
Common questions
Can Peshawar gem traders sell to the US?
Yes. US jewelers and gem dealers buy from Pakistan. Lab reports for valuable stones and honest disclosure of treatments are important.
Can Peshawar dry fruit traders export to the US?
Yes, after FDA facility registration, a US agent and FDA prior notice for each shipment. Nut allergens must be labeled.
Can Peshawar gem traders sell to US buyers?
Yes. US buyers, especially at the Tucson gem shows, want clear origin, honest treatment disclosure and consistent quality. We help you present stones the way they expect.