No Import Taxes on Personal Mobile Phones From Abroad: PTA Issues Clarification

 PTA Issues Clarification

It is said that several details of a news article titled "PTA urges extension of mobile phone tax rebate for foreign Pakistanis" that appeared on some news sites have been reported out of context.

It is made clear that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been developing a procedure for overseas Pakistanis and other foreign citizens, etc., to apply for temporary registration in conjunction with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). For such applicants, the recommended maximum period of time under this method shall be up to 120 days for each visit to Pakistan.

Foreigners and Overseas Pakistanis may use this capability of temporarily registering one mobile device on each visit to Pakistan once this system is operational without paying any customs fees for 120 days.

It was announced earlier this week that the PTA will no longer prohibit smartphones that are brought in from abroad. According to the media, the PTA has also asked the FBR to waive import duties on cell phones.

The PTA will only exempt one smartphone imported from abroad for personal use, according to media reports. For example, the standard import duties must still be paid for PTA approval when smartphones are imported in large quantities or for retail sales.