ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Federal Board of Revenue has increased taxes on imported used mobile phones by revising customs valuation, making at least 62 models more expensive in the local market.
According to official documents, the Directorate General of Customs Valuation has issued a new ruling under which duties and taxes on imported mobile phones will now be calculated based on updated valuation benchmarks. The revised policy applies uniformly to all used mobile devices, regardless of their physical condition.
Officials confirmed that the new valuation mechanism has been introduced after analysing market trends and import data, leading to higher assessed values for a wide range of popular models from various brands.
Under the updated rules, importers will be required to provide detailed information regarding the activation status of mobile phones. Authorities have made it mandatory that imported devices must have been activated at least six months prior to import.
The new ruling — identified as Valuation Ruling No. 2070 — replaces the previous framework, which has now been withdrawn. The change is expected to significantly increase the cost of importing second-hand mobile phones, ultimately passing the burden onto consumers.
Market experts believe the move could lead to a noticeable rise in prices of used smartphones across Pakistan, particularly affecting budget-conscious buyers who rely on imported refurbished devices.
The policy is also likely to impact small-scale importers and traders, as higher taxes may reduce demand or shift purchasing patterns towards locally available or officially imported devices.
Authorities maintain that the revised valuation aims to bring transparency and standardisation to the import process while ensuring appropriate tax collection in line with current market realities.