The government of Pakistan is apparently looking to allow the import of used smartphones in country, according to reports. Regarding the imports, the Ministry of Information and Technology is to present the policy draft to Prime Minister Imran Khan at the federal cabinet meeting that is scheduled for 23rd November.
If the policy is to get approved by the cabinet and signed by the Prime Minister, the authorized distributors and commercial importers will be allowed import used smartphones legally in the country. As of current the import of used smartphones is prohibited under current laws, according to the Ministry of Commerce and the Federal Board of Revenue.
The prohibition has led to the creation of a grey market of used smartphones that has caused the national exchequer a huge loss in terms of tax money. Furthermore, allowing import of used smartphones will also help reduce the import bill as they make up a huge portion of imported goods and services each year.
According to the proposal, by allowing import of used smartphones is to ultimately benefit the end user as the cost associated with importing a used smartphone, including duties and tax-rates on these devices will decrease significantly.
Moreover, the Federal cabinet will also be approving measures to check smuggle of illegal phones, which include issuance of a new deadline for verification of IMEIs through PTA’s Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS).
These new methods will be the only two legal ways to bring a mobile phone in Pakistan i.e. either be commercial importing or through an individual carrying it on a personal capacity. To curb the problem of illegally imported smartphones, the Federal cabinet is also expected to approve an amnesty scheme through which such smartphones will be regularized by paying the appropriate amount of duty along with a fine in the range of 20 to 25% of its original value.
The amnesty scheme will only be applicable to devices that have been activated between October 2018 and November 2018.
