In This Post
– Phones imported by travellers
– Phones imported via post
– Applicable tax
– How to register
Update (March 2, 2020): As per the latest notification issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), you can now import up to five mobile devices for personal use during one calendar year. Titled “Type Approval Technical Standards Regulations,” the notification has also issued guidelines for high commissions and embassies in Pakistan.
According to a leading English daily, the foreign missions in the country will have to file a Certificate of Compliance (COC) request with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to import telecommunication equipment. They will also be required to provide PTA with documents, samples and fee to apply for type approval for terminal equipment.
Update (January 6, 2020): If your smartphone costs USD 100 or less, you can now import it to Pakistan for 86% cheaper than before. As a part of the government’s vision to digitise Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has slashed the duty on imported mobile phones, according to the major news outlets.
Those importing smartphones within the mentioned price range will now have to pay a flat duty of PKR 200. The tax laws are reportedly being amended with effect from December 28, 2019.
Whether you are an expat visiting your homeland or a traveller returning from a prolonged stay in a foreign country, you may have heard conflicting reports on how to import a smartphone to Pakistan under the new rules.
Following the reports of mobile data theft and misuse of Personal Baggage Rule, a scheme that allowed overseas Pakistanis to bring one smartphone into the country without paying any leviable duties, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made a small change in its rule. Now, those entering the country with an imported handset will have to pay tax on every device they bring along. This includes their personal phone.
Moreover, it is now mandatory for mobile phone users, both local and international, to register their devices with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) if they want to continue using them. These new rules were introduced in a bid to crackdown on the illegal smuggling of imported phones in the country that can later be used for criminal activities.
In order to make things easier for consumers, PTA has introduced an online mobile registration portal called Device Identification Registration and Blocking System. It is more commonly known as DIRBS. This portal allows users to register their mobile devices with PTA from the comfort of their home. Unregistered smartphones will be blocked after a certain period of time. During this period the user will receive several notifications and alerts. You can check out our detailed guide on PTA mobile registration for further clarification on the matter.
So, if you are flying to Pakistan with an imported phone or are planning on
getting a mobile from abroad, here’s how can import a smartphone to Pakistan.
Phones Imported by Foreign Travellers and Expats
Those carrying imported smartphones now need to register their devices at the airport.
Therefore, if you are hoping to import a mobile phone to Pakistan, either for personal use or as a gift, you need to present it at the Customs counter upon your arrival and declare the device in your declaration form. This information will then be validated through the online WEBOC system.
Once the duty for your handset is determined, the system will generate an electronic Payment Slip ID (PSID). You can then pay the tax on your smartphone via online banking, mobile banking or ATM transfer. You can also make the payment at a branch of any major bank in Pakistan.
Once the system confirms the payment, your device will be whitelisted in DIRBS.
It is important to mention the custom duty on mobile phones in Pakistan varies with each handset.
Overseas Pakistanis can still bring up to five mobile devices to Pakistan during one calendar year.
Phones Imported via Post or Courier
Customs will now detain any mobile phone imported through courier and issue a stamped declaration to the person who bought it.
In order to import a smartphone to Pakistan via post or courier, you will require a Certificate of Compliance (CoC). This will legalize your device and make Customs release your package.
Thanks to the online PTA mobile registration portal, you can apply for CoC without much hassle. All you need to do is submit the required documents mentioned on the website of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. Once your documents are reviewed and verified, you’ll be issued the CoC. PTA will also send a copy of the document to FBR.
Moreover, you will have to pay the customs duty to register your mobile phone in order to use it in Pakistan.
Applicable Tax on Imported Mobile Phones
The custom duty in Pakistan on mobile phones varies with each handset depending on its value. To give you an idea, the government will charge a flat rate of PKR 360 on phones that cost up to USD 30.
Meanwhile, if you are bringing a mobile phone to Pakistan that costs more than USD 500, you will have to pay a flat rate of up to PKR 36,900 per set.
How to Register Imported Mobile in Pakistan
Regardless of the fact you entered the country on your Pakistani passport or a foreign one, all international travellers have to register their imported smartphones with that particular passport number within 60 days of arrival.
PTA mobile registration does not take long. To register your mobile phone, you can simply head over to the PTA website and click on ‘Online Mobile Registration’. It will redirect you to a log-in page. While signing up on the portal, you will be required to entire your CNIC, NICOP (National ID Card for Overseas Pakistanis) or passport number along with phone number, email and postal address.
To legally import a smartphone to Pakistan, applicants with dual nationality who travelled either on their Pakistani or foreign passport must select ‘Pakistani (Local/International Travellers/Dual Nationality Holder)’ as their user type. Meanwhile, foreign nationals who travelled to Pakistan on a visa have to select ‘Foreigner (Travelled on visa)’ on the DIRBS portal.
Your PTA registration won’t go through if you haven’t paid the customs duty on your handset.
For SMS based verification, dial *#06# from your mobile phone to receive the unique IMEI number. It is also present on the phone’s box and on the battery. Send this code to 8484 to check the status of your smartphone.
However, not all international travellers and overseas Pakistanis have to go through the PTA mobile registration process. Those who use their international sim cards on roaming instead of using a local sim don’t have to register their devices.
If you have further queries about PTA mobile registration or how to import a smartphone to Pakistan, email us at blog@zameen.com. To find out more about laws and taxes in the country, head over to Zameen Blog.
