Pakistan telecommunication Authority (PTA) has just announced the updated tax on the Apple iPhone 13 models. From iPhone 13 mini to iPhone 13 Pro Max with a significant increase of up to 35,000 on the previous tax.
It looks like PTA & the higher authorities don’t want anyone to buy the latest iPhone 13 series here in Pakistan. The taxes were already very high on the expensive high-end flagship phones. And after this increased tax and the recent hike in USD $ price, buying a good latest flagship phone, especially Apple iPhone has evidently become difficult for many of us. The financial economy and other utility taxes are already getting out of hand as they are right now. And a major increase in mobile prices was the last thing mobile enthusiasts who were saving up for a long time to get a good phone would want.
New PTA Tax on The Apple iPhone 13 models:
If you want to buy a new iPhone 13 model in Pakistan or want to import one in Pakistan. Then these are the taxes you would have to pay additionally for them, to keep using your device with a Pakistani sim.
New Payable Tax on The Apple iPhone 13 Mini (All Variants):
- 108,000 for Passport holders
- 132,000 for National ID holders.
New Tax on The Apple iPhone 13 (All Variants):
- 108,000 for Passport holders
- 132,000 for National ID holders
Tax on The Apple iPhone 13 Pro (All Variants):
- 108,000 for Passport holders
- 132,000 for National ID holders
Payable Tax on The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (All Variants):
- 108,000 for Passport holders
- 132,000 for National ID holders
As mentioned above, the tax on the Apple iPhone 13 models has to be paid within 30 days in case of Passport registration. And 60 days in case of CNIC registration to get it registered with PTA. After registration, you will be able to use your device with any local Pakistani sim without any issue.
Here Is The List of PTA Tax For Current iPhones (except the iPhone 13 series):
From January to August
Since the last tax rise in January, there has been an increase of roughly 25k-30k PKR on the latest iPhones.
Fixed Tax on iPhone 8 / 8+ (All Variants):
- PKR ~ 60000 (on Passport)
- PKR ~ 75000 (on CNIC)
Payable Tax on iPhone X (All Variants):
- PKR ~ 60000 (on Passport)
- PKR ~ 75000 (on CNIC)
Fixed Tax on The iPhone XS / XS Max (All Variants):
- PKR ~ 83200 (on Passport)
- PKR ~ 97200 (on CNIC)
Tax on The iPhone 11 Series (All Variants):
- PKR ~ 83200 (on Passport)
- PKR ~ 97200 (on CNIC)
Tax on The iPhone 12 Series (All Variants):
- PKR ~ 83200 (on Passport)
- PKR ~ 97200 (on CNIC)
Old Payable Tax on iPhone 13 Series (All Variants):
- PKR ~ 83200 (on Passport)
- PKR ~97200 (on CNIC)
Reason for the High Taxes:
As of now, with the dollar inflation in Pakistan and overall increasing prices of electronic devices in the world, smartphones are already enough expensive in Pakistan and the “mid/Low-range phones” has been vanished from the market. The prices are raised by the companies because we don’t have any assembling units in the country so they have to factor in the importing cost and whatnot.
All these factors cause the phone prices to basically exceed the value for money that these phones are providing. What’s more, we are not even talking about the most expensive phones available in the Pakistani market. The Government takes 30-40% tax on all imported phones if you want to use them in Pakistan.
Not only the government increased the taxes on phones but also did a similar thing by implementing a huge tax on graphics cards last week. These new taxes are insane to think about and as a result, they cause the government to fail in encouraging foreign investors and tech giants in Pakistan.
What The Government Should do:
The Government should make an appealing policy and then talk with giants like Samsung, Apple, BBK group of companies, and others to open assembling units and manufacturing plants in Pakistan. As a matter of fact, right now the government has no good policy to generate revenue from the mobile industry and for their own incompetence, they then force us into paying these crazy taxes to generate revenue.
*Disclaimer: These Taxes are approximate and may vary from 5-8% but, not more (hopefully).
