A Basic Guide for International Passengers Carrying Mobile Phones to Pakistan
Complete Guide and FAQs for International Passengers/Travelers Bringing in Smartphones Along.
PTA started blocking mobile devices that were “non-compliant”, after 1st December 2018. If you are an international traveler coming to Pakistan while carrying a mobile phone(s) with you for personal use or to gift it to someone, you might want to read this guide.
The purpose of this guide is to create awareness for all those who are traveling in and out of the country and to answer all the questions they might have about DIRBS, basically, what they need to do in order to keep using their mobile phones legally.
Starting with:
How many phones can an international Passenger bring in to Pakistan?
As per Government of Pakistan’s Law, an international passenger can bring in 5 (five) mobile phones per year to Pakistan for personal use.
What if you want to use an International SIM during your stay in Pakistan?
If you are planning to use an International SIM in your mobile phone, a SIM that isn’t provided by a Pakistani Mobile Operator, you do not need any sort of registration to do. You can freely use your international SIM during your stay for up to 60 Days.
What if you want to use a Local SIM?
For those international passengers, who plan to use a Local SIM, whether Zong, Ufone, Telenor, Mobilink or Warid, they need to register their Mobile Device IMEIs.
You can do that through:
- the online portal system i.e. https://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs/auth/login
- or by dialing *8484#
(each process is explained below, keep reading!)
Carrying a Single Phone Along? Do you need to pay duties for that as well?
Previously, 1 (One phone) was exempted from taxes/duties, while for others you needed to pay customs. But now, due to the misuse of Baggage Rule, you need to pay tax on each and every phone that you bring in to Pakistan along with yourself.
For example: If you are planning to bring 5 (five) mobile phones along for your personal use, you would need to pay duties and taxes on all 5 (five) of them. Clear?!
You can find out the taxes that you would have to pay at “Mobile Phone Taxes in Pakistan Calculator (Updated 2020)”
Do you need to register a phone that you bought and already used here before leaving the country?
No, If you have a phone that you bought here in Pakistan (PTA Approved) or used it here before December 2018, You do not need to go through the registration process for that particular mobile device.
How to register a phone that you are bringing into Pakistan for the first time as an International Traveler?
It is very simple, firstly
Find out the IMEI number of your Mobile Device
How to do that?
i. Dial *#06# from the dial pad of your device and note down each 15-digit IMEI (for dual SIM devices) supported by the device.
ii. If you have the box of your smartphone, the IMEI is printed on that.
iii. if your phone ran out of battery and you aren’t able to go through the code in order to find out the IMEI(s), also you do not have the box of the device along, you can simply remove the back cover/ battery of the phone, find and note your IMEI(s).
Now, there are 2 (TWO) ways you can register it.
1) Dial *8484#
You need to dial *8484# using a local Pakistani Network SIM and follow the steps.
OR
2) Registration via PTA online portal system:
Log on to dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs/auth/login and create an account over there. This Guide will help you out.
What will you need?
-
- CNIC or NICOP Number
- Passport Number
- Local Pakistani Network Number (To Receive OTP Code)
- An Email Address (Needed to Register an Account on the DIRBS Portal)
Now follow these steps!
- Now Visit: dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs/auth/login
Register a new account using the details mentioned above. - After registration, click the activation link at an email that you’ll receive from DIRBS.
- Now, login to the Dashboard!
- Click the “Click here to register your Device” Button and follow the instructions.
- After putting in all the details (including the IMEIs), you’ll get information about the tax that you’ll be required to pay.
- Print that and pay it in any bank nearby you.
That’s it, your mobile device will be registered within 24 Hours.
NOTE: Register your phone within 30 days of arrival to get a discount on the total tax.
Welcome to Naya Pakistan! 🙂
If you need to know more, we have more guides on DIRBS as well, check them out!
- Mobile Taxes Calculator (Updated 2020)
- Increase/Decrease in Taxes on Mobile Phone Imports – Mini Budget
- How to Verify the Status of Your Mobile Phone’s IMEI via SMS or APP?
- How to Bring Phone in Pakistan without Paying Tax?
- Overseas Pakistanis Can Bring only One Phone Free of Duty in a Year
- How to Check for an Invalid IMEI When Buying a Used Phone?
- How to Save Your Phone From PTA Blockage?!
PTA Taxes Portal
Find PTA Taxes on All Phones on a Single Page using the PhoneWorld PTA Taxes Portal
Explore NowFollow us on Google News!
Hello i want to bring 4 phones from abroad . Can i bring it with me . Plz tell me if no prblm are occur in the airport
Hello,
Yes you can bring, apko wese bhi tax pay krna hoga in phones pe tou no problem. Apko koe nae poche ga airport pe.
Dear Fahad,
Thank you for making things simpler with your article. One question though, do I need to worry about anything at the airport about custom duties if I bring in one or more phones if they haven’t been registered with PTA?
Thanks for commenting bro, I replied already. Hope that helps.
Stay blessed!
Dear Fahad,
Very good article and clarifies a lot of things. Thank you. One question though, so let’s say I’m bringing in 2 phones both unregistered which will be free to use for 60 days. Do I need to worry about anything at the airport in terms of custom duty for each device?
Best,
Saud
Dear Saud
Thank you so much for commenting
Well, no! You shouldn’t worry at all, why? Because, they wouldn’t bother you at the airport. They know that if you’re gonna keep the phone here, it’ll get blocked in 60 days and you’d eventually have to pay duties.
Hello, i have the same issue, i will be taking an iPhone 13 pro max but it’s new and in its box. The only issue im concerned about is being stopped by the security were i would have to pay up charges and taxes if they make me take it out. My wife will be bringing it back with her after 2 months. so we will not be registering the phone
Hello
You won’t be stopped by anyone.
You have 60 days to use your phone. Use one SIM Slot, leave the other sim slot for your next trip back home.
Hope that helps
I already used Pak sum in 1 of sim slot of my dual sim mobile when i travel to pak before 3 months…which now will be blocked. 2nd sim slot will be active or that will also be blocked ?
Good question,
I think (Best Guess) it would be blocked as well if not, you could try and see.
Blu v9?
Hi,
I have un registered phone and i got message to register it within 60 days. I will go back after 45 days. So if i come back after 2 months to Pakistan the phone will be blocked by that time or i will get 60 days again to use after coming to Pakistan.
Please can you help on it. Let me know if more clarification needed..
Good question,
60 Days are for 1st visit! It’ll be blocked when you come back later.
Hey i want to bring only one non PTA registered mobile from europe to pakistan so it will be free of tax or do i have to pay any tax on that while i have my own in use PTA regitered mobile as well with me when i was travelling
Hello,
Unfortunately, You’ll have to pay taxes on each and every phone that you bring in to Pakistan that isn’t registered with PTA.
hi mr khan
just wondering i have registered with pta online using my passport no i brought a phone with me which i have had for a very long time my all time fav samsung s5
now i have recieved my code i need to present to the bank and pay my only fear is paying and not recieving any confirmation 4500 is total i need to pay so was wondering is it safe to pay or shall i just buy a pta approved set now and let this get blocked i have 5 days left to pay arrived in pk 2 jan 2020 put jazz sim in on 5th jan 2020 thanks
Are you planning to leave this phone here? or you’ll be taking it back?
If you leaving it here, please pay the taxes on Passport, else you’ll be 6K instead of 4500. and don’t worry about the money, the system is alright and you’ll receive an SMS!
Hi i want to bring one mobile note10 for someone special, so did i need to registration it. i have 59 days vacation and my old mobile is already registered in pakistan
Hello,
Unfortunately, You’ll have to pay taxes on each and every phone that you bring in to Pakistan that isn’t registered with PTA.
Hello would we have to pay any type of tax if we bring 5 phones for five people and one iPad mini
Hello,
Unfortunately, You’ll have to pay taxes on each and every phone that you bring in to Pakistan that isn’t registered with PTA.
Hi
If I bring 2 mobiles to Pakistan from uk, will they both be exempt from tax if I don’t a locals sim?
Can you also explain the rules in relation to bringing phones as gifts?
If you bring in a phone that you plan to take back with you, then do not register that, it’ll be active for 60 days.
If you want to bring along a phone that you plan to gift to someone, you’ll have to pay taxes for that in order to register it with PTA and be able to operate normally after 60 days.