How to use the PTA tax calculator
- 1 Find the phone's value in US dollars. Customs uses its own valuation for each model and storage size, not the price you paid.
- 2 Choose passport (within 60 days of arriving in Pakistan) or CNIC as a filer or non-filer.
- 3 Check the exchange rate; customs uses its own weekly rate.
- 4 Read the estimated tax, then generate the exact PSID on the DIRBS portal before paying.
Worked example
An iPhone 16 valued by customs at $666, with the dollar at Rs 280. The value is Rs 186,480, in the $500 to $700 band. Regulatory duty is Rs 17,600, sales tax at 25% is Rs 46,620 and the mobile levy is Rs 8,000, so the passport tax is about Rs 72,220. On a CNIC, a filer adds Rs 11,500 income tax for about Rs 83,720.
Paying the least PTA tax
- Use a passport if you can: passengers who register within 60 days of arrival pay no income tax, which saves up to Rs 11,500 a phone, or Rs 23,000 against a non-filer CNIC.
- Check the customs value: the tax uses the FBR valuation for your exact model and storage, which can be well below the shop price, especially for used phones.
- Watch the $500 line: above $500 the sales tax rises from 18% to 25% of the value, so a phone just over the line costs much more to register.
- Pay through DIRBS: generate the PSID on dirbs.pta.gov.pk yourself rather than paying an agent extra.
Buying the phone on qist? Plan it with the Installment Plan Calculator. Filing your return also halves the CNIC tax; see the Filer vs Non-Filer Tax Calculator.
Features
Passport vs CNIC
See how much an overseas passenger saves by registering on a passport.
Every value band
Seven bands from up to $30 to above $700, with sales tax of 18% or 25%.
Full breakdown
Regulatory duty, sales tax, mobile levy and income tax shown separately.
When to use it
Buying a phone abroad
Check the tax before you buy an iPhone or Samsung in Dubai, Saudi Arabia or the UK, and add it to the price.
Non-PTA phones in Pakistan
Compare a non-PTA phone plus tax with the price of an approved set. Paying in instalments? Use the Installment Plan Calculator.
Gifts from relatives
Register a phone brought by a visiting relative on their passport within 60 days to avoid income tax.
Resale value
A PTA-approved phone sells for more. Weigh the tax against the resale price with the Percentage Calculator.
Related Vehicles and Mobile tasks
Frequently asked questions
How is PTA tax calculated?
Customs places the phone in a value band using its official dollar value. Each band has a fixed regulatory duty and mobile levy, sales tax is 18% of the value up to $500 and 25% above, and CNIC registrations also pay a fixed income tax.
Why is the tax lower on a passport?
Passengers who register within 60 days of arrival pay no income tax on the phone. On a CNIC, filers pay the income tax amount and non-filers pay double.
How many phones can I register on my passport?
Passport registration is for phones brought in personal baggage, and the number of phones allowed per passenger is limited. Extra phones must be registered on a CNIC.
Which dollar value does customs use?
The value in the FBR customs valuation ruling for that model and storage size, which is often lower than the shop price. Valuation Ruling 2035 of 2026 lowered the values of many used phones.
What are the tax bands for 2026-27?
Up to $30, $30 to $100, $100 to $200, $200 to $350, $350 to $500, $500 to $700 and above $700. Regulatory duty runs from Rs 240 to Rs 17,600 and the mobile levy from Rs 100 to Rs 16,000.
Where do I pay the PTA tax?
Generate a PSID on dirbs.pta.gov.pk with the phone's IMEI and your passport or CNIC, then pay it at a bank, through internet banking or a mobile wallet. The phone is usually unblocked within a day.
What happens if I miss the 60-day passport window?
You can still register on a CNIC, but you pay the CNIC tax, including income tax, and a late fine may apply.
Is the result exact?
It is an estimate. The exact amount depends on the customs value for your model and the exchange rate on the day, both shown on the DIRBS payment slip.
Do I pay tax on a phone made in Pakistan?
No PTA registration tax is due on phones assembled in Pakistan and sold with PTA approval; the taxes are already in the price.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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