How Much PTA Tax on iPhone 17 in Pakistan 2026 Complete Guide

Last verified: February 17, 2026
Sources: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority · Federal Board of Revenue · Apple Newsroom · Mercantile Pakistan (Apple’s sole authorized national distributor)

What Is PTA Tax and Why Is It Mandatory?

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), any mobile device with SIM or IMEI functionality that connects to a local Pakistani mobile network must be registered through the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS).

As stated directly in PTA’s official DIRBS FAQ document (October 2025):

“As of June 30, 2019, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has withdrawn the free baggage exemption rule. All devices intended to connect to local mobile network of Pakistan are required to register in DIRBS by paying applicable duties and taxes as determined by FBR.”

A critical distinction: PTA does not calculate or collect taxes. PTA’s role is limited to IMEI verification — confirming the device is genuine, not stolen, and not cloned. As PTA confirmed in a joint statement with FBR (January 2026), all duty and tax calculations are the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

How Is the PTA Tax Amount Calculated?

Per the FBR’s official Mobile Devices Regularization — DIRBS page, duties on imported mobile phones are determined through the following process:

1. The FBR’s Directorate General of Customs Valuation assigns a fixed customs value in USD for each device model, published through official Valuation Rulings
2. Multiple levies are applied to that assessed value — including sales tax (18%), regulatory duty, handset levy, and withholding tax
3. The total varies by registration method: CNIC (for local residents) or Passport (for international travelers)

To know your exact tax amount: PTA officially directs all users to apply through the Device Registration System (DRS), which generates an FBR Payment Slip ID (PSID) showing the precise tax owed. There is no published per-model tax table from PTA or FBR — the amount is computed in real time based on the live PKR/USD exchange rate at the moment of registration.

Indicative PTA Tax on iPhone 17 Series (2025–2026)

The figures below are estimates derived from FBR Valuation Ruling 1999/2025 as reported by authorized importers at the time of the iPhone 17’s official Pakistan launch (September–October 2025). These are indicative figures only — your actual tax is generated by DIRBS at the time of registration.

Source: Industry estimates based on FBR Valuation Ruling 1999/2025. Always verify your exact amount at dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs before purchasing.

February 2026 Update — Used Phone Tax Reduction:
In January 2026, FBR issued Valuation Ruling No. 2035 of 2026 (effective January 16, 2026), revising customs values downward by 32% to 89% for 62 models of used and refurbished smartphones from Apple, Samsung, Google Pixel, and OnePlus. This significantly reduces PTA tax on used iPhones from the 11 through 15 series. This ruling does NOT apply to new iPhone 17 units — new devices continue under original FBR valuation.

CNIC vs. Passport Registration — Official PTA Explanation

Sourced directly from PTA’s official DIRBS FAQ and PTA’s January 2025 traveler advisory:

International Traveler — Passport Registration

• Register within 60 days of arrival in Pakistan
• Requires valid passport number, CNIC/NICOP if applicable, and a SIM issued on the passport
• Lower tax rate — available only when FIA records confirm recent international travel into Pakistan
• If FIA travel records show no entry, the DIRBS system will reject passport-based registration

Local Applicant — CNIC Registration

• Register using your national CNIC number and a SIM issued on that CNIC
• Higher tax rate applies
• No travel record required; available to all Pakistani residents

Temporary Registration — Free for 120 Days

Per PTA’s official Temporary Mobile Registration announcement (April 2025), overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting Pakistan can register their personal mobile devices free of charge for up to 120 days per visit:

“This free of cost registration process is fully digitized and can be completed through the official Device Registration System portal at: https://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs“

To use this: dial *8484# from any local Pakistani SIM, or visit dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs directly.

Step-by-Step Registration Process (Official PTA Method)

All steps below are sourced from PTA’s official DIRBS FAQ (October 2025):

Step 1 — Find your IMEI
Dial *#06# from your device dial pad. For iPhones, you can also go to Settings → General → About. As Apple confirms, iPhone 17 uses eSIM technology — both the physical IMEI and the eSIM IMEI must be registered with PTA.

Step 2 — Apply through DIRBS
Use one of PTA’s three official registration channels:

• Online portal: dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs
• USSD code: Dial *8484# from a local SIM on your CNIC or Passport
• In person: Visit any mobile service provider service centre or franchise

Step 3 — Receive your PSID
The FBR/WeBOC system automatically generates a Payment Slip ID (PSID) — valid for 7 days — showing your exact tax amount. Per PTA’s FAQ, manufacturer verification (e.g., Apple) typically takes 24–48 hours before the PSID is issued.

Step 4 — Pay at a commercial bank
As confirmed by PTA’s FAQ, online banking is not currently supported for DIRBS tax payments. Payment must be made in person at any commercial bank using the PSID. Payment is then transmitted to FBR via the 1-Link system.

Step 5 — Confirmation
After FBR confirms receipt of payment, your IMEI is whitelisted with all mobile network operators — typically within 3–4 hours. Restart your device after this period to restore cellular services.

Deadline reminder: Per PTA’s official FAQ, if you do not register within 60 days of first inserting a SIM, your device will lose all cellular network access. Registration after the deadline remains possible but attracts a fine on top of the standard duty.

How Many Devices Can You Register?

Per PTA’s official DIRBS FAQ:

“Up to five (05) mobile devices can be registered by individual users in a calendar year.”

This limit applies across all registration methods — CNIC, passport, gifts, and courier imports combined.

Does PTA Tax Affect iPhone 17 Performance?

No. PTA registration is a regulatory compliance requirement and has zero effect on device hardware or software. As confirmed by Apple’s official iPhone 17 specifications and iPhone 17 Pro specifications, both PTA-registered and unregistered iPhone 17 devices have identical:

• Processor: Apple A19 chip (iPhone 17 / Air) | Apple A19 Pro chip (Pro / Pro Max)
• Display: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion up to 120Hz (iPhone 17 / Pro) | 6.9-inch (Pro Max)
• Camera: 48MP Fusion Main camera system across all models
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 (powered by the new Apple N1 wireless chip)
• iOS: All models receive identical iOS updates regardless of PTA status
• Water resistance: IP68 rated (6 meters, up to 30 minutes)

The sole functional difference is access to local Pakistani SIM networks (Jazz, Zong, Telenor, Ufone). Wi-Fi, iMessage over Wi-Fi, FaceTime, Apple Intelligence, and all other non-SIM features work identically on unregistered devices.

Official iPhone 17 Availability in Pakistan

According to Apple’s official newsroom announcement, the iPhone 17 series launched globally in September 2025. In Pakistan, availability is through Mercantile, the country’s sole Apple-authorized national distributor, who confirmed official stock with full PTA approval and Pakistan warranty through its authorized retail network.

The full iPhone 17 lineup available in Pakistan includes:

• iPhone 17 — 6.3-inch, A19 chip, 48MP camera system
• iPhone 17 Air — Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever
• iPhone 17 Pro — 6.3-inch, A19 Pro chip, triple 48MP camera system
• iPhone 17 Pro Max — 6.9-inch, A19 Pro chip, longest optical zoom ever on an iPhone

How to Verify If an iPhone Is PTA Registered

PTA provides three official verification methods:

• SMS: Send your 15-digit IMEI number to 8484 from any Pakistani network
• Web portal: Visit dirbs.pta.gov.pk and enter the IMEI
• Official DVS App: Download the Device Verification System app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store

Always check IMEI status before purchasing any second-hand iPhone. Per PTA’s FAQ, also verify that the model name shown on DVS matches the physical device — mismatches indicate potential IMEI fraud.

Official Reference Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the exact PTA tax on my iPhone 17 in Pakistan?
A: PTA and FBR do not publish a fixed per-model tax table. The exact amount is generated when you submit your IMEI through the DIRBS system and depends on the live PKR/USD exchange rate at the time of registration. Based on FBR valuation data at launch, estimates range from approximately PKR 129,000 (iPhone 17, passport) to PKR 213,000 (iPhone 17 Pro Max, CNIC).

Q: Can I register with a passport if I live in Pakistan permanently?
A: No. Per PTA’s DIRBS FAQ, passport registration requires FIA-verified international travel records. If no recent travel history exists, the DIRBS system will display an error: “entered passport is not eligible for tax exemption.”

Q: What happens if I miss the 60-day registration window?
A: Your device loses all cellular network services. Registration after the 60-day deadline remains possible but attracts a fine on top of the standard duty, as confirmed by PTA’s official FAQ.

Q: Does the January 2026 FBR tax reduction apply to my new iPhone 17?
A: No. FBR Valuation Ruling No. 2035 of 2026 applies only to used and refurbished mobile phones imported commercially without boxes or accessories. New iPhone 17 units are not covered.

Q: Does PTA affect iPhone 17 hardware or software?
A: No. Per Apple’s official iPhone 17 specifications, all hardware and iOS capabilities are identical regardless of PTA registration status. Only local SIM network access is affected.

Q: Where can I buy an officially PTA-approved iPhone 17 in Pakistan?
A: Through Mercantile’s authorized retail network — Pakistan’s only official Apple distributor. There is no official Apple Store in Pakistan and no official apple.com/pk website.

Q: How do I check if my device is already PTA registered?
A: Send your IMEI to 8484 via SMS, visit dirbs.pta.gov.pk, or use the official DVS app.

This guide is based exclusively on official documentation from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the Federal Board of Revenue, and Apple Inc. Tax figures are indicative estimates based on FBR valuation data at the time of the iPhone 17 Pakistan launch. Exchange rates fluctuate — always verify your exact tax amount through dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs before making a purchase decision.