ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has clarified that customs duty rates on imported smartphones will remain unchanged from July 1, 2026, providing certainty to importers, retailers, local assemblers, and consumers under the Finance Bill 2026.
The announcement confirms that the government has decided not to impose any additional customs duties on fully built smartphone imports, ensuring continuity in Pakistan’s mobile phone import policy for the upcoming fiscal year.
No Changes in Smartphone Import Duties
According to FBR officials, the existing tariff structure on imported smartphones will continue without any increase. The decision is aimed at maintaining stability in the technology sector and avoiding additional costs for businesses and consumers.
The unchanged duty framework applies not only to fully assembled smartphones but also to devices imported in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi Knocked Down (SKD) forms, subject to compliance with existing regulatory requirements.
CKD and SKD Imports to Continue Under Existing Rules
Under the current policy, PTA-certified local mobile phone manufacturers and assemblers will continue to import CKD and SKD smartphone units within quotas approved by the Input Output Co-efficient Organisation (IOCO).
The FBR stated that existing customs procedures and regulatory controls will remain in place to support local manufacturing while ensuring proper oversight of smartphone imports.
PTA Approval Remains Mandatory
The updated policy retains all compliance requirements for smartphone importers and assemblers.
Importers must continue to obtain a valid Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) type approval certificate before importing mobile devices. Furthermore, PTA-issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will remain mandatory for every CKD and SKD shipment entering the country.
Officials said these requirements are essential for maintaining telecom standards, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing transparency throughout the import process.
Relief for Importers and Consumers
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the decision, noting that stable customs duty rates will help businesses plan inventories, manage costs, and maintain consistent pricing in the market.
The continuation of the existing smartphone import duty structure is also expected to support consumer affordability while encouraging investment in Pakistan’s mobile phone assembly sector.
Outlook for Pakistan’s Mobile Phone Market
Market analysts believe that maintaining current customs duty rates will contribute to stability in Pakistan’s smartphone industry. Predictable import policies are expected to benefit both importers and local assemblers by improving supply chain planning and reducing uncertainty.
With no increase in smartphone import duties from July 2026, the government aims to strike a balance between supporting local manufacturing, ensuring consumer access to technology, and maintaining regulatory compliance across the telecom sector.
