PTA Tax Calculator 2026-27 (Passport and CNIC)
Estimate the PTA tax on an iPhone, Samsung or any imported phone, on passport or CNIC, with every charge listed.
How PTA tax is calculated
When you bring a phone from abroad, it has to be registered with PTA’s DIRBS system, or it stops working on Pakistani networks. The amount you pay is set by FBR and depends on the customs value in US dollars that FBR assigns to your phone model. That value decides the slab, and each slab has its own charges:
- Regulatory duty: a fixed rupee amount for the slab.
- Sales tax: 18% of the rupee value for phones up to $500, and 25% for phones above $500.
- Mobile handset levy: a fixed rupee amount for the slab.
- Income tax (section 148): paid on CNIC registrations only, and doubled for non-filers.
Formula: passport tax = regulatory duty + (sales tax rate × value in US$ × exchange rate) + handset levy. CNIC tax = passport tax + income tax.
PTA tax rates for 2026-27 (from 1 July 2026)
| Customs value | Regulatory duty | Sales tax | Handset levy | Income tax (CNIC filer) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $30 | Rs 240 | 18% | Rs 100 | Rs 100 |
| $31 to $100 | Rs 2,400 | 18% | Rs 200 | Rs 100 |
| $101 to $200 | Rs 6,000 | 18% | Rs 200 | Rs 100 |
| $201 to $350 | Rs 8,800 | 18% | Rs 1,800 | Rs 970 |
| $351 to $500 | Rs 12,000 | 18% | Rs 4,000 | Rs 5,000 |
| $501 to $700 | Rs 17,600 | 25% | Rs 8,000 | Rs 11,500 |
| Above $700 | Rs 17,600 | 25% | Rs 16,000 | Rs 11,500 |
Regulatory duty was cut by 20% in every slab from 1 July 2026. In the $101 to $200 slab, the handset levy and the CNIC income tax also fell.
PTA tax rates for 2025-26 (for comparison)
| Customs value | Regulatory duty | Sales tax | Handset levy | Income tax (CNIC filer) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $30 | Rs 300 | 18% | Rs 100 | Rs 100 |
| $31 to $100 | Rs 3,000 | 18% | Rs 200 | Rs 100 |
| $101 to $200 | Rs 7,500 | 18% | Rs 600 | Rs 930 |
| $201 to $350 | Rs 11,000 | 18% | Rs 1,800 | Rs 970 |
| $351 to $500 | Rs 15,000 | 18% | Rs 4,000 | Rs 5,000 |
| $501 to $700 | Rs 22,000 | 25% | Rs 8,000 | Rs 11,500 |
| Above $700 | Rs 22,000 | 25% | Rs 16,000 | Rs 11,500 |
Worked examples at Rs 280 per dollar
| Phone value | Passport | CNIC (filer) |
|---|---|---|
| $150 | Rs 13,760 | Rs 13,860 |
| $300 | Rs 25,720 | Rs 26,690 |
| $600 | Rs 67,600 | Rs 79,100 |
| $1,000 | Rs 103,600 | Rs 115,100 |
For example, a $300 phone is worth Rs 84,000. Sales tax at 18% is Rs 15,120, and adding the Rs 8,800 regulatory duty and the Rs 1,800 levy gives Rs 25,720 on passport. A CNIC filer adds Rs 970 of income tax, for Rs 26,690. Above $500 the jump is large, because sales tax rises from 18% to 25% on the whole value.
Popular phones
These use FBR values for used phones as reported for Valuation Ruling 2070/2026, at Rs 280 per dollar. FBR changes its values, so confirm yours with your IMEI on DIRBS.
| Phone | FBR value | Passport | CNIC (filer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 (used) | $133 | Rs 12,903 | Rs 13,003 |
| iPhone 15 Pro (used) | $472 | Rs 39,789 | Rs 44,789 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max (used) | $505 | Rs 60,950 | Rs 72,450 |
Passport or CNIC?
Registration on a passport is cheaper because it does not pay the section 148 income tax. It is meant for travellers who bring the phone with them, and it generally has to be done within 60 days of arrival, using the passport number and the phone’s IMEI. After that, or for a phone bought locally that is not PTA approved, you register on a CNIC. CNIC registrations pay income tax, which is doubled for people who are not on the active taxpayers list, and may carry extra charges.
What this estimate leaves out
- FBR’s value: the calculator uses the dollar value you enter. The real amount depends on the value FBR assigns to your exact model, which DIRBS shows.
- Exchange rate: customs uses its own rate, which can differ from the market rate.
- Extra items: some registrations include additional customs duty or a fine. The optional boxes let you add them if your DIRBS quote shows them.
The official amount is the PSID that DIRBS generates for your IMEI. Use this tool to plan, and confirm on dirbs.pta.gov.pk before you pay.
How to pay PTA tax, step by step
- Dial *#06# to get your IMEI number.
- Open the DIRBS portal (dirbs.pta.gov.pk) and create an account.
- Choose passport or CNIC, enter the IMEI and submit the request.
- DIRBS shows the exact tax and generates a PSID.
- Pay the PSID through your bank’s app, an ATM, JazzCash or Easypaisa before it expires.
- Check the status by sending the IMEI to 8484.
Installments
The Finance Bill 2026-27, as approved by the National Assembly, allows PTA taxes on imported phones to be paid in installments. The details of how to apply are set through FBR and DIRBS, so check the current process on the official portal.
Rates last reviewed on 5 November 2026 from the 2026-27 budget measures (including SRO 1064(I)/2026) and the rates published by FBR and PTA. This is an estimate and not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is PTA tax?
PTA tax is the set of duties and taxes collected through the DIRBS system to register a phone brought from abroad on Pakistani networks. It includes regulatory duty, sales tax, a mobile handset levy and, on CNIC, income tax.
How is PTA tax calculated?
It depends on the customs value FBR assigns to your phone in US dollars. Find the slab, add the fixed regulatory duty and levy, add sales tax (18% up to $500 and 25% above) on the rupee value, and add income tax if you register on a CNIC.
Is PTA tax lower on passport or CNIC?
Passport is lower, because passport registrations do not pay the section 148 income tax. A CNIC registration pays it, and non-filers pay double. To use the passport route you generally have to register within 60 days of arrival.
Did PTA tax go down in 2026-27?
In part. From 1 July 2026, regulatory duty was cut by 20% in every slab, and the handset levy and CNIC income tax fell in the $101 to $200 slab. Sales tax stayed at 18% and 25%.
Can I pay PTA tax in installments?
The Finance Bill 2026-27, as approved by the National Assembly, allows installment payment of PTA taxes. The practical details are set through FBR and DIRBS, so check the current process before you apply.
Why is my DIRBS amount different from this estimate?
DIRBS uses FBR's assessed value for your exact model and its own exchange rate, and some registrations include extra items such as additional customs duty or a fine. Always confirm the final amount on DIRBS before you pay.
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