ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) offers two methods to register mobile phone devices brought by overseas Pakistanis and international travelers with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) by paying specific duties and taxes.
The Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) is a system designed to identify non-compliant devices operating on local mobile networks. It automatically registers compliant devices operating on mobile networks and eventually blocks non-compliant devices.
Consumers can register their devices with the PTA using their passport or CNIC, with different tax rates for both categories. Furthermore, the duty/tax rates also depend on the value of the devices.
PTA Tax Rate for Mobile Registration with Passport
For travelers applying with passport within 60 days of their arrival, mobile phones worth up to $30 will be charged at Rs430.
Phones worth more than $30 but up to $100 will attract a duty of Rs3,200.
Devices worth between $100 and $200 will attract a tax of Rs9,580. Phones worth between $200 and $350 will attract a duty of Rs12,200 with additional sales tax.
The duty increases for high-end devices: Phones worth between $350 and $500 will attract a duty of Rs17,800 plus 17% sales tax, while phones worth more than $500 will attract a duty of Rs27,600, including 17% sales tax.
PTA Mobile Phone Tax Rate with CNIC
On the other hand, individuals who apply with a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) face higher duty.
The fixed rate for mobile phones priced up to $30 is Rs550, while devices priced above $30 but up to $100 will attract a duty of Rs4,323.
The duty increases to Rs11,561 for phones in the $100 to $200 range. Devices priced between $200 and $350 will attract a sales tax of Rs14,661 plus 17 percent.
Phones priced between $350 and $500 will attract a duty of Rs23,420 plus 17 percent sales tax.
Premium devices priced above $500 will attract a duty of Rs37,007 plus applicable sales tax.
