The Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi, operating under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), has announced updated customs values for imported old and refurbished mobile phones. The revision is expected to lower the overall Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) tax on these devices, potentially making them more affordable for Pakistani consumers.
The new valuation specifically targets used and refurbished smartphones from major brands such as Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus. According to an official notification, stakeholders who wish to challenge or seek a review of the revised values can submit a petition within 30 days of the notification’s issuance to the Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi.
Under the revised customs framework, the PTA tax on popular models like the iPhone 15 series has seen a notable reduction. The iPhone 15, originally launched in the United States at $799, is now available in used or refurbished condition in the international market for around $300–$400. Using an average price of $350, the device’s valuation in Pakistan has been set at approximately Rs97,800. With this adjustment, the PTA tax stands at Rs34,101 for CNIC holders and Rs31,640 for those using passports, bringing the total local price to roughly Rs130,000.
Similarly, the used iPhone 15 Plus, valued at $370 (around Rs103,465), will attract PTA taxes of Rs46,068 via CNIC and Rs40,448 via passport, putting the total cost at an estimated Rs145,000. The iPhone 15 Pro has been priced at $400 (approximately Rs111,400), with PTA tax now fixed at Rs47,580 via CNIC and Rs41,960 via passport, taking its total market price to around Rs155,000. For the iPhone 15 Pro Max, PTA tax has been set at Rs50,604 via CNIC and Rs44,984 via passport, pushing the total price to about Rs175,000.
Officials from the FBR said the revised customs valuations aim to align local pricing with global market trends while promoting the use of refurbished mobile devices. “With these adjustments, imported used smartphones have become relatively more accessible for Pakistani consumers,” a senior official said, adding that the move is likely to boost demand for refurbished phones in the local market.
Market analysts believe that the downward revision in PTA taxes could lead to increased activity in the second-hand smartphone segment, offering consumers more cost-effective alternatives without compromising on quality. Retailers and importers are also expected to benefit as sales volumes rise due to the more competitive pricing.
