How much is PTA tax on iPhone 15 in 2026?

The PTA tax on iPhone 15 for CNIC registration is approximately Rs. 43,000–50,000. iPhone 15 Pro Max attracts Rs. 65,000–78,000 on CNIC. Exact amount depends on the current USD/PKR exchange rate.

Can I avoid PTA tax by registering on Passport instead of CNIC?

You can register on Passport at a lower tax rate, but the registration expires after 60–120 days. After expiry, your SIM access will be blocked unless you pay the full CNIC duty or the phone leaves Pakistan.

What happens if I don't pay PTA tax?

If you do not register and pay PTA tax, the PTA will block your device IMEI, disabling all SIM cards in the phone for calls, SMS, and cellular data.

How many phones can I bring duty-free to Pakistan?

Pakistani nationals returning from abroad are allowed to bring one mobile phone duty-free provided it is a personal-use device and carried in personal baggage. Foreign visitors may bring up to five devices on Passport registration during a single visit.

Is PTA tax refundable if I take my phone out of Pakistan?

No, PTA registration tax is non-refundable. Once paid, the duty cannot be claimed back regardless of whether you leave Pakistan with the device.

Does PTA tax apply to tablets and smartwatches?

PTA registration applies to all cellular-capable devices, which includes tablets with SIM slots and some smartwatches with eSIM or SIM capability.

Why does PTA tax change every few days?

PTA tax slabs are defined in USD. Since the PKR/USD rate fluctuates daily, the rupee amount payable changes accordingly. A weakening rupee increases the PKR equivalent.

How long does it take for PTA to approve a phone after payment?

Once the PSID payment is successfully made through a bank or mobile wallet, the DIRBS system typically registers the device and unblocks the IMEI within 24 to 72 hours.

Mobile PTA Tax Calculator
Pakistan 2026

Real-time updated duty amounts for all smartphones.

Select Brand

Select Model

Passport Tax

Rs.0

CNIC Tax

Rs.0

Note: Add 17% sales tax on top of the base duty. Phones in the top two tiers may also attract additional regulatory duty, which the calculator above already factors in.

CNIC vs. Passport PTA Registration: Which is Better?

The short answer: it depends entirely on how long you intend to keep and use the phone in Pakistan. FBR (Federal Board of Revenue) and PTA apply different duty structures based on the registration method.

Registration on CNIC

This is the standard, permanent registration. You pay the full assessed customs duty and taxes, and the phone's IMEI is whitelisted on Pakistani networks forever.

Registration on Passport (Baggage Rule)

This is a discounted rate intended for overseas Pakistanis and travellers visiting temporarily. Under the baggage rules, you get a slight concession on the customs duty if you register within 60 days of your arrival in Pakistan.

Feature	CNIC Registration	Passport Registration
Tax Amount	Higher	Typically 10–25% lower
Validity	Permanent	60–120 days, then expires
Best for	Phones you will use permanently	Short visits or trial use before deciding
After expiry	N/A — stays active	SIM access stops unless re-registered on CNIC

The practical rule: if you are visiting Pakistan short-term, testing a phone before committing to it, or only need connectivity for a defined trip, Passport registration is the cheaper route. If the phone is going to live with you permanently in Pakistan, register on CNIC straightaway — letting a Passport registration lapse and then re-registering on CNIC means you effectively pay for the device twice over time.

PTA Tax Slabs 2026

The table below reflects the base customs duty brackets used for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Treat these as reference ranges, your exact figure depends on your phone's specific FBR-assessed value and the live exchange rate, which is why the calculator above is more accurate than any static table.

FBR Assessed Value (USD)	Base Duty (PKR)	Tier
Up to $30	Rs. 430	Entry-level
$30 – $100	Rs. 3,200	Budget
$100 – $200	Rs. 9,580	Mid-range
$200 – $350	Rs. 12,200	Mid-range
$350 – $500	Rs. 17,800	Upper mid-range
$500 – $700	Rs. 36,870	Flagship
Above $700	Rs. 51,440+	Premium flagship

How the Final Number Is Calculated

Three components stack together to produce your final payable amount:

Base Customs Duty — determined by which USD value bracket your phone's FBR-assessed price falls into.
17% Sales Tax — applied on top of the base duty for every device.
Regulatory Duty — an extra charge applied only to higher-value phones (generally above $500), introduced to discourage high-end grey imports.

Formula: Final PTA Tax = Base Customs Duty + (Base Customs Duty × 17%) + Regulatory Duty (if applicable)

Worked example — a phone with a $600 assessed value: Rs. 36,870 base duty + Rs. 6,268 sales tax ≈ Rs. 43,138 before any applicable regulatory duty is added.

5 Mistakes That Quietly Increase Your PTA Bill

Registering on CNIC for a short visit — you pay the permanent rate for a phone you will not keep in Pakistan long-term.
Letting the 60-day window pass — your SIM gets blocked and you may face a late surcharge on top of the original duty.
Ignoring updated valuation rulings on used phones — FBR periodically revises customs values for refurbished iPhones and Samsungs, sometimes lowering them by 30–80%; checking the current ruling before you register can mean a much smaller bill.
Buying a used phone without checking its IMEI status first — if it is already flagged non-compliant or blocked, you inherit the unpaid tax.
Assuming all storage variants are taxed the same — some brands price-tier their FBR valuation by storage capacity, so a 256GB and 1TB version of the same phone are not always identical.

How to Check Your PTA Status (3 Ways)

1. The Calculator on This Page

Select your brand and model above to see CNIC and Passport estimates instantly, with no IMEI or sign-up needed.

2. Dial *8484# (No Internet Needed)

From any active Pakistani SIM, dial *8484#, choose the device-status option, and enter your IMEI (find it by dialling *#06#). This works even without a data connection.

3. The Official DIRBS Portal

Visit dirbs.pta.gov.pk and enter your 15-digit IMEI for the most authoritative, live status and the exact outstanding duty, if any.

How to Pay PTA Tax: Step by Step

Go to dirbs.pta.gov.pk or open the PTA Device Registration app.
Enter your IMEI (Settings → About Phone, or dial *#06#).
Choose CNIC or Passport registration based on how long you plan to keep using the device in Pakistan.
Review the duty amount the system generates and note the PSID (payment slip ID).
Pay via JazzCash, Easypaisa, internet banking, or at a partner bank branch (HBL, UBL, MCB, Allied Bank, and others).
Upload or confirm the payment receipt on the portal.
Wait 24–72 hours for DIRBS to register the IMEI and lift any block; you'll get a confirmation SMS.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the specific model and storage variant, since each is assessed at a different FBR dollar value. Flagship Pro/Pro Max variants fall in the top duty tier shown in the slabs table above, plus 17% sales tax and applicable regulatory duty. Use the calculator above for the exact current figure.

For the same phone, yes — Passport registration is typically 10–25% cheaper than CNIC. The trade-off is that it only stays valid for 60–120 days, after which the SIM is blocked again unless you re-register on CNIC.

Your phone's IMEI stays unregistered, and any Pakistani SIM inserted into it stops working after the grace period — typically around 60 days. The phone still works on Wi-Fi, but calls, SMS, and mobile data are blocked until the tax is paid.

CNIC registration is generally limited to one phone per CNIC per year for full customs benefit, though policy details can change with each Finance Act. Passport holders can typically register up to five devices during a single visit.

Yes. Tax is based on the phone's model and its FBR-assessed value, not on whether it is new or used or on what you personally paid for it. FBR does periodically issue separate, often lower, valuation rulings specifically for used and refurbished phones.

Any cellular-capable device needs registration — this includes tablets with a SIM slot and smartwatches with eSIM capability. Wi-Fi-only tablets and Bluetooth-only smartwatches are generally exempt.

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⚠ Disclaimer

This PTA Tax Calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The tax figures displayed are real-time estimates sourced from publicly accessible data and are subject to change based on the current USD/PKR exchange rate, FBR customs valuation, and any revisions to government duty slabs. Unfreeze Tools does not guarantee the accuracy of calculated amounts and accepts no liability for any decisions made on the basis of results shown here. For the official and binding payable amount, always refer to the DIRBS Portal or contact PTA directly.

Mobile PTA Tax CalculatorPakistan 2026