PTA Tax on Mobile Phones 2026-27: Rates, CNIC vs Passport and How to Pay
Every mobile phone brought into Pakistan from abroad has to be registered in PTA’s DIRBS system, and the FBR duty and taxes on it, commonly called PTA tax, must be paid. Otherwise the phone stops working with Pakistani SIMs. The amount depends on the phone’s value and on whether you register it on your passport (usually cheaper) or your CNIC. For 2026-27 there are two big points: the 25% duty on phones above $500 was not reduced in the budget, and the government now allows the tax to be paid in installments.
PK Portals is an independent information site and is not linked to PTA or FBR. The amounts below are approximate and taken from published reports. The exact tax is calculated by FBR on the day you pay and is shown on the DIRBS portal when you generate your payment slip (PSID).
PTA tax 2026-27: what changed
- Installment option: Under the Finance Bill 2026-27, approved in June 2026, PTA tax on imported phones registered through DIRBS can be paid in installments from 1 July. It covers both new and used imported phones. All installments must be paid before the end of the financial year in which the phone is imported.
- No cut for expensive phones: A proposal to bring the duty on phones above $500 down from 25% to a flat 18% was not included in the 2026-27 budget, according to market reports. Premium phones such as iPhones and Galaxy S models remain expensive to register.
- Lower values for used phones: In January 2026, FBR’s Directorate General of Customs Valuation set new customs values for old and refurbished Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus phones, which reduced the PTA tax on many used models.
How PTA tax is calculated
FBR keeps a customs value for each phone model in US dollars. On the day you pay, that value is converted into rupees at the current exchange rate, and duty and taxes are applied according to the value slab of the phone. That is why the same phone can show a slightly different amount on different days. Registering on a passport costs less than registering on a CNIC, but the passport option is only for phones you bring with you from abroad.
The tax is a large part of a premium phone’s price. A May 2026 study by the PRIME think tank estimated the total effective tax on a $700 smartphone in Pakistan at about 50%.
PTA tax on iPhone 17 series (approximate)
These approximate amounts were published by PhoneWorld and last updated in July 2026. Use them only as a guide.
| Model | On passport | On CNIC |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | Rs 149,640 | Rs 164,604 |
| iPhone 17 Air | Rs 156,322 | Rs 172,377 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | Rs 190,679 | Rs 209,747 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Rs 204,954 | Rs 225,449 |
PTA tax on used iPhone 15 models (after new customs values)
These figures were reported in January 2026 for used and refurbished iPhone 15 models under FBR’s new customs values.
| Model | On passport | On CNIC |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | Rs 31,640 | Rs 34,101 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | Rs 40,448 | Rs 46,068 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | Rs 41,960 | Rs 47,580 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | Rs 44,984 | Rs 50,604 |
How to pay PTA tax step by step
- First check whether the phone already has PTA approval. Send its 15-digit IMEI to 8484. If the reply says Compliant, no tax is due. See our PTA approved check guide.
- Open the DIRBS registration portal (dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs), dial *8484# from a local SIM registered on your CNIC, or visit any mobile operator service centre or franchise.
- Choose passport or CNIC registration and enter your passport or CNIC number, the mobile number registered on that ID, and the phone’s IMEI. Dual-SIM and eSIM phones have two IMEIs, and both must be entered.
- The system generates a PSID (payment slip ID) that is valid for 7 days.
- Pay the PSID amount at a bank before it expires.
- Once the payment is confirmed, the IMEI is whitelisted. Send the IMEI to 8484 again to confirm the phone now shows as compliant.
For the full registration process, including temporary registration for overseas visitors, read how to register a phone with PTA.
Deadlines and limits
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Travellers (passport) | Register within 60 days of arriving in Pakistan |
| Late registration | Still possible, but duty plus a prescribed fine is charged |
| Temporary registration | Overseas Pakistanis and foreigners can register one phone for 120 days from arrival, paired with a Pakistani SIM issued in their own name |
| Yearly limit | One person can register up to five devices in a calendar year |
| Phones sold officially in Pakistan | Already PTA approved; no tax is due |
Tips to save money
- Compare the price of an official PTA-approved phone with a non-PTA phone plus its tax. For many models, the official phone works out cheaper.
- If you are travelling, register on your passport within 60 days of arrival, as it costs less than CNIC registration.
- Generate the PSID only when you are ready to pay, because it expires after 7 days and the exchange rate can change.
- Never pay PTA tax through an agent who asks for your phone’s IMEI and money without giving an official PSID.
Related guides
- PTA approved check by IMEI
- How to register a phone with PTA (DIRBS)
- iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max official price in Pakistan
- SIM check by CNIC
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the PTA tax on the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
According to figures published in July 2026, it is about Rs 204,954 on a passport and about Rs 225,449 on a CNIC. The exact amount is shown on DIRBS on the day you pay.
Is PTA tax lower on passport than on CNIC?
Yes. Passport registration is cheaper, but it is meant for phones brought from abroad by travellers and must be done within 60 days of arrival.
Can I pay PTA tax in installments?
Yes. From 1 July 2026, the Finance Bill 2026-27 allows installments for new and used imported phones registered through DIRBS. All installments must be cleared before the end of the financial year in which the phone was imported.
What happens if I do not pay PTA tax?
A phone that is not registered will be blocked on Pakistani mobile networks after the allowed period, so SIM calls and mobile data will not work on it.
Do I need to pay PTA tax on a phone bought from an official shop in Pakistan?
No. Phones sold by official distributors and resellers in Pakistan are already PTA approved.
Sources: PTA DIRBS FAQs, The Nation (23 June 2026), TechJuice (29 May 2026), PhoneWorld (updated 8 July 2026) and The Express Tribune (22 January 2026).
