Islamabad, Pakistan – In a landmark decision aimed at easing the financial burden on consumers and importers, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced a major reduction in Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) taxes on imported used smartphones from some of the world’s leading brands, including Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.
According to the new Valuation Ruling No. 2035 of 2026, the Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi has revised customs values for 62 models of pre-owned mobile devices, bringing them in line with current global market prices. The move is expected to significantly reduce the PTA tax component, which has long been criticized for being inflated and outdated, making legally imported phones prohibitively expensive for many Pakistanis.
Previously, importers faced steep PTA levies based on antiquated customs valuations, often exceeding the actual market price of the phones abroad. The FBR undertook a 90-day review of international pricing and import data, revealing significant discrepancies between declared import values and real-world prices. The updated valuations now reflect a more realistic and fair approach, reducing the risk of disputes at customs and providing clarity to both importers and consumers.
Under the new regime, fixed values have been assigned to each phone model, regardless of condition or grade, although only devices activated at least six months prior to export will qualify for these rates. Notable examples include the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $460, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra at $255, and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at $260, which will serve as the reference for calculating duties and PTA taxes.
Experts say this move could stabilize Pakistan’s used phone market, curb under-invoicing, and make imported devices more accessible to consumers, while simultaneously encouraging legal imports and compliance with PTA registration requirements. The decision is being welcomed by traders, industry analysts, and mobile phone enthusiasts, who see it as a positive step toward transparency and affordability in the tech market.
While the PTA tax is not entirely eliminated, this adjustment marks a major policy shift and a clear recognition by the FBR of the need to align tax policy with market realities, benefiting thousands of consumers nationwide. Market watchers predict that this decision could lead to lower retail prices for popular used smartphones and an increase in legal imports, boosting the overall mobile trade ecosystem in Pakistan.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.