📌 60-Day Rule: From the day you insert a Pakistani SIM card, you have exactly 60 days to register your phone and pay PTA tax. After 60 days without registration, your phone is permanently blocked on Jazz, Zong, Ufone, and Telenor networks.
What Is PTA Tax?
PTA tax (also called mobile phone registration tax) is a mandatory import duty levied by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on all non-locally-manufactured mobile phones used in Pakistan. It is collected through the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's DIRBS (Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System) portal.
Any mobile phone — whether brought from abroad in your luggage, purchased online from an international seller, or bought from a local grey market importer — must be registered with PTA if you want to use it on any Pakistani network. Without registration, the phone functions only on Wi-Fi and is permanently blocked from cellular networks.
How to Register Your Phone — Step by Step
Step 1
Dial *#06# on your phone to get your 15-digit IMEI number. Write it down.
Step 2
SMS your IMEI to 8484 or visit dirbs.pta.gov.pk to check if your phone is already registered.
Step 3
Use our calculator above to estimate your tax, then go to DIRBS portal and generate a PSID payment slip.
Step 4
Pay via online banking, EasyPaisa, JazzCash, or at any bank branch using your PSID number.
Step 5
Your phone will be PTA approved within 24–48 hours of payment. All SIM cards will work normally.
PTA Tax Slabs 2026 — Official FBR Rates
PTA tax is not a flat amount — it is a combination of regulatory duty, sales tax, withholding tax, and mobile levy. The regulatory duty is calculated based on your phone's USD price bracket:
| Phone Price (USD) |
Regulatory Duty (PKR) |
Sales Tax |
Approx. Total — CNIC |
Approx. Total — Passport |
| Up to $30 | PKR 250 | 18% | ~PKR 2,400 | ~PKR 2,000 |
| $31 – $100 | PKR 2,000 | 18% | ~PKR 8,500 | ~PKR 7,200 |
| $101 – $200 | PKR 4,500 | 18% | ~PKR 17,000 | ~PKR 14,500 |
| $201 – $350 | PKR 10,000 | 18% | ~PKR 32,000 | ~PKR 27,200 |
| $351 – $500 | PKR 14,000 | 18% | ~PKR 44,000 | ~PKR 37,400 |
| $501 – $700 | PKR 23,000 | 18% | ~PKR 65,000 | ~PKR 55,250 |
| $701 – $1,000 | PKR 37,000 | 18% | ~PKR 90,000 | ~PKR 76,500 |
| Above $1,000 | PKR 53,000 | 18% | ~PKR 120,000+ | ~PKR 102,000+ |
Rates based on FBR Valuation Ruling 2026. Amounts calculated at PKR 280/USD. Actual tax varies with live exchange rate at time of payment.
Popular Phone PTA Tax Estimates 2026
| Phone Model |
USD Price |
CNIC Tax (est.) |
Passport Tax (est.) |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $1,299 | PKR ~130,000 | PKR ~110,500 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | $1,199 | PKR ~122,000 | PKR ~103,700 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | $1,199 | PKR ~117,000 | PKR ~99,450 |
| iPhone 15 | $799 | PKR ~90,000 | PKR ~76,500 |
| iPhone 14 | $699 | PKR ~65,000 | PKR ~55,250 |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | $1,299 | PKR ~128,000 | PKR ~108,800 |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | $799 | PKR ~90,000 | PKR ~76,500 |
| Samsung Galaxy A55 | $449 | PKR ~44,000 | PKR ~37,400 |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | $999 | PKR ~103,000 | PKR ~87,550 |
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | $699 | PKR ~65,000 | PKR ~55,250 |
| OnePlus 13 | $899 | PKR ~90,000 | PKR ~76,500 |
CNIC vs Passport Registration — Which One to Choose?
This is the most common question Pakistani buyers ask. Here is the simple answer:
- CNIC Registration — for Pakistani residents living in Pakistan. You can register up to 5 phones per calendar year. Standard FBR duty rates apply. No time limit on when you bought the phone.
- Passport / NICOP Registration — for overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting Pakistan. Tax is typically 15–20% lower under the baggage allowance scheme. Your phone must be registered within 60 days of your arrival in Pakistan. Limit of 1 phone per trip.
Bottom line: If you have a valid Pakistani Passport and you brought the phone with you when travelling to Pakistan, always choose Passport registration — it saves thousands of rupees.
What Taxes Are Included in PTA Tax?
Your total PTA tax is made up of four separate charges:
- Regulatory Duty (RD) — a fixed PKR amount based on your phone's USD price bracket, set by FBR
- Sales Tax / GST — 18% applied on the assessed customs value of the phone
- Withholding Tax (WHT) — adjustable for Active Tax Filers; non-filers pay a higher rate
- Mobile Levy — a federal levy ranging from PKR 1,000 to PKR 10,000 depending on device value
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is PTA tax on iPhone 16 Pro Max in Pakistan 2026?
The estimated PTA tax on iPhone 16 Pro Max in Pakistan 2026 is approximately PKR 122,000 to 130,000 on CNIC registration and PKR 103,000 to 110,000 on Passport. The exact amount depends on the current USD to PKR exchange rate at the time of payment. Use our calculator above for the latest estimate.
What happens if I don't pay PTA tax within 60 days?
If you do not register your phone within 60 days of inserting a Pakistani SIM card, your device will be permanently blocked from all Pakistani mobile networks — Jazz, Zong, Ufone, and Telenor will all stop working. The phone will only work on Wi-Fi. You can still register it after 60 days by paying the tax, but the block is not automatic — you must complete registration to restore service.
How do I check if my phone is already PTA registered?
Dial *#06# to get your phone's IMEI number. Then send that IMEI via SMS to 8484 — you will receive an instant reply confirming your phone's PTA status. You can also visit dirbs.pta.gov.pk and use the Device Verification System (DVS) to check. A PTA-approved device shows as "Compliant." Always check before buying a second-hand imported phone.
How do I pay PTA tax online in Pakistan?
Visit dirbs.pta.gov.pk, create an account, log in, and enter your IMEI number and personal details (CNIC or Passport). The portal generates a PSID (Payment Slip ID). Use this PSID to pay through online banking, EasyPaisa, JazzCash, or at any bank branch. Your phone is typically approved within 24 to 48 hours after successful payment.
Does PTA tax apply to second-hand and used phones?
Yes. PTA tax applies to all unregistered mobile phones regardless of whether they are new or used. The tax is based on the phone's official FBR customs value for that model, not the price you personally paid for it. FBR Valuation Ruling 2035/2026 did introduce reduced customs values for many popular used flagship models including iPhone 11 through iPhone 15, which lowered taxes on used phones by 15 to 30 percent compared to previous rates.
What is the difference between PTA tax on CNIC vs Passport?
CNIC registration is for Pakistani nationals residing in Pakistan and uses the standard FBR regulatory duty rates. Passport or NICOP registration is for overseas Pakistanis and foreign visitors and uses the baggage allowance scheme, which is typically 15 to 20 percent cheaper. Passport registration is available for one phone per trip to Pakistan. If you qualify for Passport registration, it is always the cheaper option.
Can overseas Pakistanis bring a phone to Pakistan for free?
Overseas Pakistanis visiting Pakistan can register one personal phone tax-free for up to 120 days per visit through PTA's Temporary Mobile Registration system. After 120 days, you must either pay the full PTA tax to permanently register the phone or take it out of Pakistan. This exemption applies to your own personal device, not phones purchased for others.
Is PTA tax refundable if I leave Pakistan?
No. PTA tax is non-refundable under any circumstances. Once paid and the device is registered, the tax cannot be recovered even if you later leave Pakistan, sell the phone, or return it to the seller. However, a PTA-registered phone retains its approved status permanently and can be freely sold to any other Pakistani user without any additional registration fees.
Does the PTA tax change with the exchange rate?
Yes. PTA tax is calculated in Pakistani Rupees based on the phone's USD customs value converted at the State Bank of Pakistan's official interbank exchange rate on the date of your payment. This means your final tax amount can vary from day to day based on USD to PKR fluctuations. Our calculator uses a rate of approximately PKR 280 per USD as a current estimate.
Does withholding tax apply to Active Tax Filers?
Yes, but tax filers get a significantly lower withholding tax rate compared to non-filers. If you are on FBR's Active Taxpayer List (ATL), the withholding tax component of your PTA registration fee is lower and also fully adjustable against your annual income tax liability — meaning you can claim it back when you file your tax return. Non-filers pay a higher non-adjustable withholding tax.
Which phone brands require PTA registration in Pakistan?
All imported mobile phone brands require PTA registration in Pakistan — including Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei, Nokia, Sony, Motorola, Nothing, Realme, Infinix, Tecno, and all others. There are no exemptions based on brand, country of origin, or phone price. Phones manufactured locally in Pakistan under official arrangements are pre-registered and do not require individual registration.