ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved the relaxation in policies regarding the commercial import of new and used mobile phones.
State Minister for Revenue and Law Hammad Azhar has confirmed that the ban on commercial import of used phones has been lifted if the said phone models conform to PTA regulations and duties and taxes are paid on them.
In addition to this, Hammad further said, “For people bringing in phones from abroad, as per personal baggage rules. One phone per annum is allowed duty-free and up to a maximum of 5 phones in a year can be brought in. The duty on remaining 4 will have to be paid if you require service in Pakistan beyond 30 days.”
Moreover, the cabinet has also decided that non-custom paid (smuggled) mobile phones sold after 1st December will be deactivated by PTA after a lapse of 30 days.
However, phones currently in use or activated before December 1 will not be effected or require any registration, he added.
While guiding mobile phone users to avoid any hassle, Azhar expressed, “If you are purchasing a new phone or carry any phone that you wish to install a SIM in and activate after 1st Dec 2018, make sure to send its IMEI number to 8484 to know about its legal status. The IMEI number can be found the mobile phone’s box or by dialing *#06# on its screen.”
