The government has introduced a ‘mobile tax policy’ for foreign visitors and travelers to Pakistan. The entire process introduced is completely voluntary. When people arrive in the country, they can register their devices at the Customs counter at the airport they land at.
One can also downloadand print the declaration form beforehand and hand it to the authorities to save time. Another way to have your mobile device registered is at a Custom House near your location within 15 days of arrival.
For the registration, the traveler will be asked to provide a 15 digit IMEI number for their device at Customs and a proof of identity (whichever is applicable). Customs will use that information to register the device’s IMEI against your name.
Read: 60mn and Counting: PTA Statistics on Broadband Users
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also shared a video detailing the mobile device registration process for international passengers. It is to be noted that all persons flying in to Pakistan are allowed to register one handset without having to pay any duty charges.
Furthermore, one does not have to register or pay any duty charges on mobile devices that will be used on a roaming network or which will be used in Pakistan for less than 30 days. The roaming charges for 30 days will cost over $2,000.00 depending on the carrier. The travelers will receive this bill when they return to their country.
However, taxes will be applicable on extra devices based on their pre-assessed value. One will be asked to settle those taxes before your device can be registered.
This system has been set in place by the government in order to control the influx of smuggled mobile devices through a system called ‘DIRBS’.
PTA Director ‘Type Approvals’ Nauman Khalid speaking to Dawn news said that the DIRBS forces anyone who plans to import a mobile device or purchase an imported device within Pakistan to ensure that the device’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is “PTA approved and compliant”.
