Many Pakistanis residing abroad used to be able to enter Pakistan with no customs fees on their mobile phones. However, things have changed. Pakistan's Minister of State for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs said only one phone each year would be exempt from tax or customs duty for Pakistanis living outside the country.
Pakistani nationals living outside of Pakistan bring only one mobile phone into Pakistan without paying tax
Pakistan's personal luggage laws allow visitors to bring in a maximum of five phones, but they will have to pay duty on the other four. If you want to stay in Pakistan for more than 30 days, you will have to pay an extra four-phone tax.
Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistan's IT minister, has said that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will stop all illegally imported mobile phones within 30 days, or till December 31st, 2018.
Only five cell phones can be brought into the country each year
After December 1, 2018, any Pakistani mobile devices that are currently operating will continue to function. After December 1st, any fake mobile devices still in use on any Pakistani network will be assigned a unique mobile number and will continue to function as normal thereafter. Checking the IMEI number before purchasing a new or old smartphone will become mandatory on December 1, 2018.
Because of the Dec. 1 dirbs deadline and the impending ban on unregistered mobile phones in Pakistan, individuals will be more cautious when purchasing a new phone.
Any phone purchased or used after this time should have its IMEI number submitted to the number 8484 to verify its legal status.
Before you buy a phone, here's how to check its IMEI number:
Step 1:
Get your device's IMEI number.
- Dial *#06# on your phone to obtain the 15-digit IMEI number. On the outside of the device's box, you will see the IMEI number printed there as well.
How to tell if the IMEI is valid
Step 2:
Check to see if the device is registered.
- Once you have your 15-digit IMEI number, you will be able to tell if your phone has been registered with the cellular service provider. You can check it online, by text message, or via an Android app.
- Visit http://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/ if you wish to check online. (> > Input of 15 Digits of IMEI Number Press the 'Check' button.
- If you wish to check by SMS, put your 15-digit IMEI number into a new message and send it to 8484.
- Install the Android app if you wish to check through an app on your phone or tablet. You can input your 15-digit IMEI number by installing the DIRBS app on your smartphone, opening the app, and then entering the app.
Step 3:
You will receive one of the following messages when you enter your 15-digit IMEI code:
- Compliant and PTA approved:
If you see this message, you can use your device since it has been approved or is legal with the PTA.
- Non-compliant or not approved by the PTA:
If you get this notice, your smartphone isn't compliant and you can not use it on any Pakistani network.
After 30 days, PTA will deactivate or restrict any mobile devices belonging to pirates (customs duty not paid). One phone every year is all that is required to bring the tax-free phone into Pakistan.
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