By Updated: Nov 5, 2026
Quick verdict
You can now spread the sales tax on an imported phone over monthly instalments, under FBR's Customs General Order 06 of 2026, reported by Business Recorder. The catch is strict: miss one instalment and the phone is blocked, and the whole remaining balance falls due.
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Not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, duties and plan prices change often. Always confirm with the official source (PTA/DIRBS and FBR in Pakistan, DoT/Sanchar Saathi and TRAI in India) and with your operator before you pay.
What changed
Until 2026, PTA tax had to be paid in one go before a phone could be registered. Business Recorder reports that FBR's Customs General Order (CGO) 06 of 2026 now allows the sales tax part of the duty on imported mobile phones to be paid in monthly instalments, up to June 30.
What can and can't be split
| Component | Instalments allowed? |
|---|---|
| Sales tax (18% up to US$500, 25% above) | Yes, under CGO 06 of 2026 |
| Regulatory duty | Not stated in our source; assume upfront |
| Mobile handset levy | Not stated in our source; assume upfront |
| Income tax (s.148) | Not stated in our source; assume upfront |
Our source only describes instalments for sales tax. Check the exact split on your PSID or with FBR.
Who benefits most
Sales tax is the largest part of the tax on expensive phones, so instalments help most with flagships. For example, MobileMarket.pk lists iPhone 17 Pro Max tax at Rs 204,954 on passport and Rs 225,449 on CNIC. Spreading a large share of that over several months makes a big difference to cash flow.
The risks
- Blocking: if you miss an instalment, the phone is blocked on Pakistani networks.
- Full balance due: the remaining amount becomes payable at once.
- Deadline: instalments run up to June 30, so the later you start, the fewer months you have.
- Resale: a buyer of a phone with unpaid instalments may inherit a blocking risk. Ask the seller for proof of full payment.
How to apply
Start the usual DIRBS process and look for the instalment option when the PSID is generated. Because the rule is new, the exact steps may differ by channel; check DIRBS and FBR pages first.
Is it worth it?
If you can pay in one go, you avoid all blocking risk. If paying upfront means you cannot register at all, instalments are a legal way to get the phone working, as long as you set reminders and keep money aside for every month.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying an agent who promises to "unblock" a phone without official registration. Only official channels can register a device.
- Ignoring the deadline. Missed deadlines usually mean the phone stops working on local networks.
- Not checking both IMEIs on dual-SIM phones.
- Keeping no record. Save your payment slip, receipt and IMEI screenshots.
Where to get official help
In Pakistan, use the PTA DIRBS portal and FBR's mobile device pages. In India, use the Department of Telecommunications' Sanchar Saathi portal and its helplines. Social media posts and YouTube videos are often out of date, so check the date on any guide you follow, including this one.
Key terms explained
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| IMEI | A 15-digit number that identifies your phone on mobile networks |
| DIRBS | PTA's Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System in Pakistan |
| PSID | The payment slip ID you get when you apply to register a phone in Pakistan |
| Filer / ATL | A taxpayer on FBR's Active Taxpayers List in Pakistan |
| Sanchar Saathi | India's DoT portal to check IMEIs and block lost or stolen phones |
| Device Setu / ICDR | India's portal where makers and importers register IMEIs before sale |
Real-life situations
"My relative brought me a phone from abroad"
In Pakistan, the phone must be registered and taxed. Registration on passport must happen within the traveller's 60-day window. After that, CNIC rates apply, which are usually higher.
"I bought a used phone and it stopped working on my SIM"
The phone may be unregistered, blocked or reported stolen. Check the IMEI. In Pakistan, a non-registered phone can usually be registered by paying the tax; a phone blocked after theft cannot be fixed by the buyer. In India, a blacklisted phone should be returned to the seller.
"My phone was stolen"
Report it to the police, then block it: in India through Sanchar Saathi, and in Pakistan through your operator or PTA's channels. Keep the IMEI and the bill; you will need them.
Worked example (illustration only)
Suppose the sales tax on your phone were Rs 120,000 and you started paying with six months left before the June 30 deadline. Split evenly, that would be Rs 20,000 a month. If you started with only three months left, it would be Rs 40,000 a month. These numbers are only an illustration of how the timing affects your monthly amount; your real figures will appear on your PSID.
Bottom line
Instalments make registration possible for more people, but they add a new risk: one missed payment blocks the phone. Treat it like a loan. Set reminders, keep proof of each payment, and pay early if you can.
How we keep this page current
Phone prices, operator packages and government rules in Pakistan and India change more often than in most markets. Prices move with the rupee, new budgets change taxes, and operators rename or reprice packs without much notice. We date every page and list the exact sources we used, so you can see how fresh each number is. When something changes, we update the table and the "Updated" date at the top. If you spot a price or rule that has changed, check the official source linked below first, then let us know in the comments so we can fix it for other readers. Your feedback helps keep this guide accurate for everyone.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Makes expensive phones easier to register
- Legal, official route
- Phone works while you pay
Cons
- Missed instalment means blocking
- Full balance due on default
- Deadline of June 30 limits the months available
FAQ
Can I pay PTA tax in instalments?
Yes, the sales tax portion, under FBR CGO 06 of 2026, as reported by Business Recorder.
What if I miss an instalment?
The phone is blocked and the full remaining balance becomes due.
Until when can instalments run?
Up to June 30.
Is this legal advice?
No. Confirm details with FBR and PTA before you pay.
How we researched this
This guide is research-based. We did not test these phones in hand. Prices and plan details come from the retailer listings, operator information and official pages named in the sources list, checked or published on the dates shown. Prices in Pakistan and India change with stock, exchange rates and promotions, so treat every number as a dated snapshot and re-check on the day you buy.
Sources
- Business Recorder: FBR allows sales tax on imported phones in instalments
- FBR: Mobile Devices Regularization (DIRBS)
- PTA DIRBS: FAQs
- MobileMarket.pk: PTA tax on mobile phones 2026-27 (cites FBR S.R.O. 1064(I)/2026)
Updated: Nov 5, 2026. Sources were checked on Nov 5, 2026.