According to the instruction of Govt of Pakistan, some taxes and duties have been imposed on the import of devices such as mobile phones by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) since Jan 2019.
PTA Tax is the tax that is applicable on all the mobiles phones that are imported in Pakistan. If the PTA tax is not paid in due time, non-compliant devices are eventually blocked.
PTA Tax value is assigned to the devices based on their brand, models, and types. Six (6) different slabs for PTA taxes and duty are placed by the federal board of revenue (FBR) on the imported mobile phones.
PTA Tax calculator in 2022
PTA tax on imported phones in 2022 is increased due to an increase in the import tax on mobile phones in the new budget of Pakistan for 2022. People need to make their smartphone PTA approved to use the local networks in Pakistan.
Here you will find out the approximate applicable PTA tax that customers have to pay at the airport or custom office if you have imported a mobile phone.
PTA Tax calculator (for Passport holder)
The customers who travel abroad and bring mobile devices have a little bit of relief in PTA tax. The PTA mobile tax list is mentioned for people with a passport in the table below.
| Mobile phone price range in USD | PTA tax price range in Pakistan |
|---|---|
| $1 to $30 | PKR. 430 |
| $31 to$100 | PKR. 3200 |
| $101 to $200 | PKR. 9580 |
| $201 to $350 | PKR. 12200 plus 17% sales tax Ad Valorem |
| $351 to $500 | PKR. 17800 plus 17% sales tax Ad Valorem |
| $501 to above than $501 | PKR. 36870 plus 17% sales tax Ad Valorem |
PTA Tax Calculator (for CNIC)
The PTA tax on imported mobile phones is higher for the people who import mobile phones without traveling abroad. You can find out the PTA tax on the imported phones in the below table.
| Mobile phone price range in USD | PTA tax price range in Pakistan |
|---|---|
| $1 to $30 | PKR. 550 |
| $31 to$100 | PKR. 4,323 |
| $101 to $200 | PKR. 11,561 |
| $201 to $350 | PKR. 146,61 plus 17% sales tax Ad Valorem |
| $351 to $500 | PKR. 23,420 plus 17% sales tax Ad Valorem |
| $501 to above than $501 | PKR. 37,007 plus 17% sales tax Ad Valorem |
In the above tables, Sales tax Ad Valorem is the value people have to pay with the base tax value. Sales Tax Ad Valorem is 17% of the actual price of the mobile phone.
How to check the PTA status of a device?
The customers who want to purchase a mobile phone from a friend or someone else that is imported, then it is necessary that you should check device PTA tax status before buying it. Below are the methods in which you can come to know about it.
Via SMS
People can check the status of their imported phone via SMS. For that, follow the following procedure.
- Unlock your phone and open the dialer of your mobile phone.
- Dial *#06# to obtain the IMEI number of 15 digits.
- You will receive the IMEI number that you have sent 8484 via message.
- You will receive a message showing the details of your device’s PTA Tax status.
Through DIRBS website
The other method to check the PTA Tax status of your device is through the DIRBS website. Visit the DIRBS official website and send the device IMEI. You will receive one of the following messages.
- Your device IMEI is compliant and approved by PTA. You can enjoy services for all types of networks.
- Your device IMEI is non-compliant, but you can still enjoy services for all types of networks. To register, send an SMS to approve your device by PTA.
- Your device IMEI is blocked, and you cannot use it in Pakistan. To use this device, pay PTA Taxes.
If you receive a message showing your device IMEI is blocked, you have to register your device. Below is the complete guide on how to register PTA mobile tax registration?
Complete Guide to PTA Mobile Registration Tax
The people who bring mobile phones abroad can register their device with PTA and pay PTA tax at airport counter set-up by paying PTA tax online in different bank branches. Otherwise, there are three methods to register the mobile phone with PTA and pay tax in Pakistan, which are described below.
Through SMS
To register your device with PTA via phone, you need to follow the following steps.
- Unlock your phone and open the dialer.
- Enter the USSD code *8484# and run it.
- Enter 1 for the registration.
- Pakistani citizens should replay by entering 1. However, the foreigner should reply by entering 2.
- If you have 1st device, enter 1, and its registration is free of cost. Otherwise, you have to pay a fee in any bank branch.
- Enter the passport and CNIC number.
- Then Enter the slot number of your SIM that your mobile has.
- Enter the IMEI number of your device. If you have a dual SIM smartphone, then enter both IMEI.
- Enter 1 to complete the registration process.
Through DIRBS website
Follow the following instructions to register your mobile with PTA in this method.
- Visit the DIRBS official website and create an account by providing the essential credentials and signing in. If you have already, then sign in.
- After signing in, a new window will open. Here you have to click apply for COC.
- Enter the IMEI and contact number.
- PTA will send a message to know whether you have paid the PTA taxes of your imported phone or not.
- The status of your application will be shown in my application option. Click on it and check it.
Through the mobile (android only) application
To register your mobile phone with PTA through a mobile application, follow the following instructions.
- Unlock your phone and visit the play store app.
- Download and install the PTA app.
- Open the app and enter your device’s IMEI number.
Conclusion
The customers who want to import phones from abroad must know about the PTA tax. In the above, all details about PTA tax and its registration process are described in detail. I hope all your queries regarding the mobile registration with PTA tax should be fulfilled.
