How to Register your Mobile Phone Online with PTA

PTA has launched an online Mobile Phone Registration System to facilitate travelers; overseas Pakistanis and foreign visitors so they can easily register their mobile devices to be used in Pakistan. PTA has developed the Device Registration System (DRS) and Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS).  This is basically an attempt of the government to control the influx of smuggled mobile devices through a system called 'DIRBS' and to ensure that the IMEI number of all devices used in Pakistan are "PTA approved and compliant". This system will ensure the use of only legal devices on mobile networks in Pakistan.

Tax policy for mobile phones for foreign visitors and travelers returning to Pakistan has been announced. Now, international travelers can bring phones in their luggage and they don’t need to declare it on the airport as they can now pay duties and taxes online. An international traveler can avail duty/ tax exemption on one mobile device in a calendar year. International travelers can register their mobile device within 60 days of their arrival in Pakistan. 

How to Register your Mobile Phone Online with PTA

For the people who are confused about how to register their mobile phones online with PTA, we've put together this brief post to help them understand the process.

Check the status of your Mobile

To check the status of your mobile device, kindly dial *#06# from the dialer of mobile device, after receiving each 15 digit IMEI number (dual SIM), send each 15 digit IMEI number via SMS to short code 8484. The status of the mobile device can also be checked via PTA website.

20-05-2019: PTA has started *8484# short code service for mobile device registration. Dial *8484# from your mobile keypad. and you will see the following options to select:

1. Register mobile device
2. Track registration status
3. Delete registration request
4. Mobile device count registered with your CNIC
5. Check your device status

It's mean that you can not only register or track status of your registration request but you can also check total devices registered with your CNIC.

How many Mobile Devices are allowed to bring in Pakistan

Each person (either overseas Pakistani or foreign visitor) is allowed to bring in one mobile duty-free and a total of five mobiles every year. However, if they bring five phones then they have to pay duty on the four extra mobiles.

Every Traveler can Register 01 Mobile Device without any Duty Charges 

Only one device per passport is allowed duty-free and the remaining devices have to be paid duty on. Under customs regulations, every passenger flying into Pakistan is allowed to register one mobile device without any duty charges. Therefore, a family of four people can bring in four devices without having to pay any taxes.

International travelers can register their mobile device within 60 days of their arrival in Pakistan. After the due date, registration of such mobile phones will be subject to an additional penalty.

Update: FBR has withdrew this facility of allowing to import one duty and tax free mobile to the incoming international passengers.

You don't have to register or pay any duty charges on mobile devices: 

• that will be used on roaming (i.e. used with a foreign SIM card). 
• that will be used in Pakistan with a local SIM for less than 30 days. 
• that you have purchased earlier from Pakistan. Such devices are already registered. 

How to Register Mobile Phones purchased from Online Stores and shipped through Courier or Postal Service

All mobile phones which are imported by an individual through online websites and shipped via postal service or courier will be released on production of Certificate of Compliance (CoC) issued by the PTA. The applicant can apply for the CoC to the customs authorities. On receipt of the declaration, the Customs authorities will verify the particulars and process the declaration under the PTA module for issuance of online CoC. PTA will issue a system generated CoC accordingly. Upon issuance of CoC, the applicant will deposit the customs’ assessed duty/taxes and the device will be released. In the case of non-issuance of CoC, the customs authorities can take further action as per law.

How to Register your Mobile through PTA’s DIRBS Online Portal?

1) Visit https://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs to open PTA’s Device Registration Portal and create an account.

2) Select the purpose and user type (Pakistani or Foreigner).

3) Fill the other fields including name, phone number, email, postal address, and CNIC or passport number.

4) You will receive a confirmation email. Click on the confirmation link and log in.

5) In the Declaration window, Click on the “Apply for COC” under “Individual COC”.

6) Now IMEI window will appear. Enter the phone number and IMEI of your device. Dial *#06# from your phone to check IMEI number.

7) Now you will receive an SMS on your mobile number. This SMS will show if tax to be paid or not and what is the procedure to pay tax (if applicable). 

You can track the status of your application by clicking on my Application.

How to Pay Duty and Taxes Online for Registering Mobile Phone?

If someone has brought more than one mobile phone, the DRS system will electronically generate a payment ID for payment of duty and taxes. You can make this payment via online banking, mobile banking and through ATMs.

Click here for "Payment of Mobile Phone Import Duty and Taxes through internet Banking".

After registration of IMEI and payment of duty/taxes, the mobile device will be white-listed on PTA’s DIRBS system. 

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Applicable Duty/ Tax Calculator on Import of Mobile Handsets

Applicable Duty/ Tax Structure on Import of Mobile Handsets

Sales Tax Rate on Mobile Phones

Update: 28-07-2019: Government has revised the sales tax rate on mobile phones as mentioned below:

Customs/ regulatory duty, sales tax, advance income tax, and mobile handset levy is applicable on import of mobile handsets.

Above is given a PTA advertisement in local newspapers for public awareness about using only approved mobile devices. It is clearly mentioned that altering or reprogramming of mobile phones and wireless handsets is illegal.