Work out what it costs to register a mobile phone with PTA on your passport or CNIC. Rates are editable, so you can match the latest FBR schedule.
Slab rates (edit to match the latest schedule)
| Phone value | Passport duty | CNIC duty | Sales tax % |
|---|
Phones bought abroad or brought in by a relative need to be registered with PTA through the DIRBS system before they work with Pakistani SIMs. The tax is charged in slabs based on the phone’s value in US dollars, and it’s lower on a passport than on a CNIC. Phones worth $200 or more also pay sales tax on top of the fixed duty. This calculator gives you a quick estimate before you generate a PSID, and every rate in the table can be edited when the schedule changes.
How is PTA tax calculated?
PTA tax depends on two things: the phone’s customs value in US dollars and whether you register it on a passport or a CNIC. The value decides your slab. Each slab has a fixed duty, and phones worth $200 or more also pay 17% sales tax on their value. Enter the phone’s value above to see which slab it falls in and the estimated tax.
Passport vs CNIC registration
Overseas Pakistanis and visitors can register a phone on their passport within 60 days of arrival, and the passport duty is lower in every slab. Residents, or anyone who misses the window, register on their CNIC at the higher rate. Phones valued at $200 or more pay 17% sales tax on the phone’s value in addition to the fixed duty.
| Phone value | Passport | CNIC | Sales tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $30 | Rs 430 | Rs 550 | None |
| $30–$100 | Rs 3,200 | Rs 4,323 | None |
| $100–$200 | Rs 9,580 | Rs 11,561 | None |
| $200–$350 | Rs 12,200 | Rs 14,661 | 17% |
| $350–$500 | Rs 17,800 | Rs 23,420 | 17% |
| Above $500 | Rs 27,600 | Rs 37,007 | 17% |
Rates as reported in January 2026. They can change with the federal budget.
How to pay PTA tax
Go to the DIRBS portal or visit a customs office, enter your IMEI and identity details, and generate a PSID. The PSID shows the exact payable amount. Pay it through your bank app, an ATM or a branch, and the phone is usually registered within a day.
Tax amounts change from time to time with the federal budget. The figures in this calculator are a starting point. Always confirm the final amount on the PSID before paying.
How to use the PTA Tax Calculator
Enter the phone's value
Type the phone’s value in US dollars. Customs uses its own valuation for each model, which can differ from the price you paid.
Choose passport or CNIC
Select how you’re registering the phone. Passport rates apply only within 60 days of arrival.
Check the slab rates
Open the slab table to see or edit the rate for each slab. Update a number if the latest schedule differs.
See the estimated tax
The tax for your slab appears in large text. The value in rupees is shown too, using the dollar rate you entered.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTA tax different for each phone model?
Yes, indirectly. Customs assigns each model a value in dollars, and that value decides the slab. Two phones in the same slab pay the same tax.
Which is cheaper, passport or CNIC?
Passport registration is cheaper in every slab, but it’s only available within 60 days of arriving in Pakistan. After that, the CNIC rate applies.
How long do I have to register a phone after arriving in Pakistan?
Phones brought on a passport get a limited grace period, usually 60 days, after which they are blocked until registered.
Why doesn't the calculator match my PSID exactly?
Tax rates and customs values change. The PSID shows the official amount for your IMEI, so treat this calculator as an estimate.
Can I register a phone without paying tax?
Phones bought from authorised dealers in Pakistan are already registered. Imported phones must be registered and taxed to work on local networks.
Sources and further reading
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Last reviewed: October 2026