Many people in Pakistan experience sudden blockage of their SIM and device; wondering why? Well, devices or SIMs that are not registered with the PTA get blocked after a certain period in Pakistan. So, if you have recently returned from a abroad trip with a new smartphone, then registering it with PTA is essential to avoid sudden surprises.
Registering devices and SIMs with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) doesn’t only provide peace of mind to the users but also helps in strengthening the tax system of Pakistan by ensuring all devices are properly registered and taxed. Read on to check how much tax you would be paying on your device.
Understanding PTA mobile tax
PTA Tax on mobile phones was brought down in 2019 by considering some factors, including monitoring unregistered mobile phones, increasing tax revenues, reducing clone devices, and increasing tax revenues. Before 2019, it was common to bring down a mobile phone into Pakistan without paying any tax to the government of Pakistan, which caused a significant gap in the tax collection system of Pakistan.
To control clone devices and monitor unregistered mobile phones, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority introduced a PTA tax, which each user has to pay on the purchase of their new mobile phone and when bringing a new mobile phone in Pakistan.
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Why is it important to check for mobile tax?
When a user brings an unregistered smartphone to Pakistan, the smartphone gets blocked after 60 days (2 months) by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). You can avoid this by registering your smartphone, but first, you have to be knowledgeable of whether your device is registered or not.
- Monitoring of all registered devices in the country.
- PTA mobile tax helps in increasing government revenue for public services.
- Tracking of devices boosts national security.
- Legal imports reduce phone smuggling.
- Limitation of clone devices in the country.
Benefits of PTA-registered devices:
Having a PTA-registered device provides a list of benefits; one can enjoy many different benefits by using a PTA-registered device.
- You will have access to all the features of your registered device.
- You will be able to send a message and to call by using a PTA-approved SIM in your registered device.
- You will be able to enjoy online transactions via mobile banking apps.
- Your PTA-approved device can be tracked by the PTA once it gets registered.
- A user will be able to block or monitor their device’s SIM if their device is registered with PTA.
Guide on how to check the PTA Mobile tax in Pakistan?
Whether you have bought a new smartphone from abroad or are considering checking the registration details on your mobile phone, consider using the given method, which allows every resident of Pakistan to check their device’s registration details.
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What is the IMEI number?
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. IMEI, consisting of 15 digits, is a unique number that is assigned to each device. Users with a single SIM card will have one IMEI, and users with 2 or 3 SIM cards will have 2 or 3 IMEI numbers. IMEI number is located in your mobile’s settings, although both iPhone and Android users will experience different processes of checking IMEI numbers from their settings app.
How to check the IMEI number in Pakistan, and why is it necessary?
Each registered mobile user in Pakistan is assigned a unique IMEI number. This number is used for the verification process of your mobile phone. You can retain your IMEI by using numerous ways.
For Android users:
Step 1: Locate your mobile phone settings.
Step 2: hit on the “About phone” option.
Step 3: then click on the “IMEI & IP” option.
Step 4: Your SIM IMEI number will be showcased on your device.
For iPhone users:
Step 1: In your iPhone, go to settings.
Step 2: Then click the “general” option.
Step 3: After that, hit the “about” option.
Step 4: Scroll down in the information of your device and find your IMEI number.
Method 1: PTA mobile tax online check:
Accessing the DIRBS website will easily verify your PTA mobile tax status. In order to quickly check your device’s registration and tax status, simply enter your device’s IMEI number, which forms the rest of the result that guarantees you can use your phone uninterrupted in Pakistan.
Step 1: Visit the DIRBS website.
Step 2: Locate the “device verification system” section.
Step 3: Enter your IMEI number in the given area.
Step 4: Lastly, hit the “Check” button.
Step 5: Information about your smartphone will be showcased on the device’s screen.
Method 2: PTA mobile tax check via SMS:
Using your PTA mobile tax is very easy; send your IMEI number via using the code given in the procedure to receive tax details and registration confirmation on your phone.
Step 1: Start by composing a new message in your messaging app.
Step 2: In the text section, enter your 15-digit IMEI number.
Step 3: Send this to the code 8484.
Step 4: Wait for the response to be received from PTA.
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Alternative method of how to calculate PTA mobile tax in Pakistan?
If you encounter any issue with the described method, then sit at ease as you can manually check your PTA mobile tax within a minute. As we know, PTA is based on how much your mobile phone is worth. So, to figure out the PTA tax on your mobile phone in Pakistan, use the following formula:
Tax = (Price of Phone * Tax Rate) + (Customs Duty * (1 + Sales Tax Rate))
To calculate the amount, you will be required to have customs duty and tax information in hand. Read on the given tables to check for the customs duty taxes.
PTA Tax through Formula:
|
Mobile number having value (US dollars) |
Registration on CNIC (Fixed rate) |
Registration on passport (Fixed rate) |
|
Upto 30 |
Rs. 550 |
Rs. 430 |
|
Above 30 and up to 100 |
Rs. 4323 |
Rs. 3200 |
|
Above 100 and up to 200 |
Rs. 11561 |
Rs. 9580 |
|
Above 200 and up to 350 |
Rs. 14661+ 17% Sales Tax Ad Valorem |
Rs. 12,200 + 17% Sales Tax Ad Valorem |
|
Above 350 and up to 500 |
Rs. 23420 + 17% Sales Tax Ad Valorem |
Rs. 17,800 + 17% Sales Tax Ad Valorem |
|
Above 500 |
Rs. 37007 + 17% Sales Tax Ad Valorem |
Rs. 27,600 + 17% Sales Tax Ad Valorem |
PTA Tax on iPhone
|
iPhone model |
Price in PKR |
Price in US Dollars |
PTA Tax (CNIC registration) |
PTA Tax (Passport registration) |
|
iPhone 16 Pro max |
554,499 |
1696 |
PKR 176,000 |
PKR 148,500 |
|
iPhone 16 Pro |
472,499 |
1640.62 |
PKR 161,480 |
PKR 135,300 |
|
iPhone 16 Plus |
419,499 |
1283 |
PKR 137,033 |
PKR 113,075 |
|
iPhone 16 |
380,499 |
799 |
PKR 130,708 |
PKR 107,325 |
|
iPhone 15 Pro max |
671,000 |
2,418 |
Rs. 151,077 |
Rs. 141,670 |
|
iPhone 14 Pro max |
560,000 |
2,018 |
Rs. 132,207 |
Rs. 122,800 |
|
iPhone 13 Pro max |
452,000 |
1628 |
Rs. 113,847 |
Rs. 104,440 |
|
iPhone X |
142,000 |
511 |
Rs. 61,147 |
Rs. 51,740 |
Calculation of PTA tax through the official website:
You can calculate your PTA mobile tax using a WeBoc web portal. Simply enter your IMEI to see all the tax amounts and other essential registration information.
Step 1: Visit the WeBoc web portal.
Step 2: then enter your mobile phone IMEI number in the required box.
Step 3: Your total duty/tax will be displayed in the following manner:
- Tax amount
- GSMA TAC
- Brand as per GSMA
- Product Description
- Marketing Name as per GSMA
- Manufacturer as per GSMA
- Model as per GSMA
How to register a mobile phone in Pakistan?
After the confirmation of the registration status of your mobile phone, you can check for the calculated tax mentioned in the table, or you can manually calculate the PTA tax using the official web portal, the PTA calculator, or the PTA tac calculating formula.
Before jumping on to registering your mobile phone in Pakistan, make sure you have two things in hand:
- IMEI
- Your CNIC or passport number
Steps for PTA mobile registration:
The PTA has provided every user with the simplest procedure to register their mobile device with the PTA. Here’s how you can easily register your device with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Step 1: Go to your device’s dialer app.
Step 2: Dial the code *8484#.
Step 3: Then select the desired language from the given options.
- English
- Roman Urdu
Step 4: A menu section will appear showing 4 different options.
- Register mobile device
- Track registration status
- Delete Registration Request
- Mobile Device Count Registered with your CNIC
Step 5: Press 1 to select “Register Mobile Device.”
Step 6: Then select your region from the options:
- Pakistan
- AJK
- Gilgit Baltistan
- Back
Step 7: If you are a resident of Pakistan, then press 1, but if you are a foreigner, then press 2.
Step 8: Two options will appear on the screen.
- Mobile registration for international travelers.
- Mobile registration for local.
Step 9: Select option 1 if you want to register your device on your passport, and select 2 if you want to register your device on CNIC.
Step 10: Now, enter your passport or CNIC number.
Step 11: Enter the SIM type of your phone. Select from the options:
- Single IMEI
- Double IMEI
- Triple IMEI
Step 12: Enter an IMEI number as per your selection.
Step 13: Lastly, press 1 for confirmation.
Step 14: You will receive a pop-up message on your device’s screen to wait for the confirmation message, including information about the tracking ID, tax amount, and PSID.
Receiving of PSID:
Once the confirmation process is completed, you will be provided with a PSID, which is one essential document. The PSID number is delivered on your mobile phone in numbers.
Read on to learn about PSID and how to use this crucial document to pay the PTA tax payment.
What is the PSID number?
PSID stands for Payment Slip Identifier. This slip ID refers to the number that is linked with the tax you are about to pay against your NTN or CNIC number.
The unique numbers of PSIDs are generated through the web portal. Hence, make sure to generate the PSID number from the FBR web portal to pay the amount of PTA tax payment. PSID is used to pay taxes or dues to the government of Paksitan.
Payment of PTA tax
Once you have the unique number of PSID in hand, it’s time to clear the payment, which you can do by visiting the bank along with the cash or cheque or by using a mobile application.
Procedure for using online payment of PTA tax using PSID:
Step 1: Open the mobile banking application on your device.
Step 2: Go to the tax payment option.
Step 3: Click on the FBR option.
Step 4: Then type the number of your PSID.
Step 5: Lastly, click on the “pay” option.
Once the PTA tax payment is cleared, your IMEI will be registered with the PTA.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t pay the PTA tax on my mobile?
PTA will block your mobile phone after 60 days if you don’t register it and deny it to use your local networks.
Is it secure to pay the PTA tax online?
Yes, PTA tax payments can also be made online using mobile banking apps with the Payment Slip Identifier (PSID).
Is PTA tax applicable for new and used phones?
Absolutely PTA tax is applied on used as well as new mobile phones imported from abroad to Pakistan. Registered and cleared with PTA, all imported devices, whether brand new from the manufacturer’s store or the used store, must only be usable with devices on the local network.
Conclusion
The regulation of PTA mobile tax is important for the mobile users in Pakistan, and more importantly, those importing devices from abroad must register their device to use its features. Any device’s user can check or calculate the PTA tax amount with the mentioned guide above. Additionally, if, after checking, you find that your device is not registered, then you can register it today with this guidance.
