How is PTA Tax Calculated? updated method in 2023.

How is PTA Tax Calculated? updated method in 2023.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has imposed a tax on the import of all smartphones in Pakistan. The question is How is PTA Tax Calculated? This article consists of all the information with simple tax tables instead of complicated PTA Tax calculators. If you are thinking to import or pay PTA mobile tax, you can determine the approximate taxes with the help of this post. PTA taxes were last increased on 21 January 2023 along with the introduction of the mini-budget by the Federal Government.

People will have to pay the PTA tax to approve and use an imported mobile phone in Pakistan. However, there are 2 months given once a sim is active in an imported mobile phone for the first time after that it will stop working on any local mobile network.

PTA mobile registration, click here.

How to Pay PTA TAX, click here.

About DIRBS System

Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) was introduced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The purpose of designing such a system is to identify non-compliant devices working on local mobile networks.

The DIRBS system was established on 1st December 2018. So International Passengers coming to Pakistan will first have to register their smartphone to keep using it on local mobile networks in Pakistan. Once an imported smartphone is turned on for the first time, if its duty is not paid within 2 months, it eventually gets blocked and listed in non-compliant devices. They can also register their mobile phones with PTA by paying tax at the airport counter, if not interested it can be done later by paying PTA tax by visiting their office, online website, or through bank branches.

Many people are not aware of the tax amount they need to pay for their imported smartphones and How is PTA Tax Calculated? Here, we have tried to keep it simple with tax tables having complete information including the amount of tax on mobile phones based on their price in USD. Forget about complicated PTA tax calculators.

How is PTA Tax Calculated?

Registration of mobile phones is cheaper and applicable on a passport within 60 days of arrival in Pakistan. The 60 days time period is given to facilitate the passengers coming to the country. On the other hand, the PTA Tax is higher for individuals who are importing smartphones to the country without traveling. As we have mentioned above the PTA Tax has been increased on mobile phones since the mini-budget by the Federal Government. The table given below shows the recent PTA taxes.

Mobile Phone PTA Tax Calculator (Passport)

Mobile Phone PTA Tax Calculator (CNIC)

The PTA tax will be higher for the people who are running a mobile import business without traveling abroad. PTA tax for imported phones is given below.

What is Sales Tax Ad Valorem?

Ad Valorem is basically a sales tax imposed on the financial value of the taxed item. People importing smartphones will be charged a base tax plus a 17% sales tax depending on the total market value of the smartphone when paying the PTA Tax for approval of cellular networks. This is why the new PTA Taxes for mobile approval will not be the same for different devices and they will be decided according to the market value of the phone.

How to Check Device PTA Status?

If you want to check the PTA status of any mobile device, just dial *#06# from the dialer of your mobile to get the IMEI Number, after seeing the 15-digit IMEI number, send each 15-digit IMEI number via SMS to short code 8484. There will be two IMEIs for each sim. This can also be done through the DIRBS website at https://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/ or through the DIRBS app available on the Google Play Store.