By Mashhud
KARACHI: MCC Preventive Lahore has setup three dedicated “Customs Mobile Registration Counters” for registration and assessment of mobile phones/devices brought illegally through informal channels.
The Federal Government has launched “Devices Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS)” with effect from December 01, 2018. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued Customs General Order. No. 6 of 2018.
Three dedicated “Customs Mobile Registration Counters” have been set up for registration and assessment of mobile phones.
Their location is as follows: Customs Mobile Registration Counter (running round the clock for facilitation of incoming passengers) at Arrival Hall, Allama lqbal International Airport, Lahore: Customs Mobile Registration Counter at Air Freight Unit (AFU), Allama lqbal International Airport, Lahore from 0900-1700 hours; Customs Mobile Registration Counter at Custom House. Lahore from 0900-1700 hours.
Three more Registration Counters are being established at Allama lqbal International Airport, Lahore which will be operational in a couple of days.
According to the procedure, the holder/proprietor of unregistered mobile devices shall voluntarily approach the nearest “Customs Mobile Registration Counter” and file declaration as per prescribed Annexure of CGO No.06 of 2018 along with soft copy of IMEI details of such devices.
Customs staff posted at “Mobile Registration Counter” will enter details of the application for registration by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on its web portal, which will approve Certificate of Compliance (CoC).
Customs authorities will issue the CoC and order release of phone where duty/taxes are not leviable, while in cases where duty and taxes are leviable, Customs shall assess leviable duty and taxes which will be carried out in the same location as the Customs Mobile Registration Counter.
The applicant will deposit the duty and taxes in the designated branch of National Bank of Pakistan. Accordingly, the detained mobile phones will be released to the holder. In case of non-issuance of CoC, further action for seizure/confiscation will be taken in accordance with law in respect of detained phone(s).
No option will be given to regularize illegal mobile phones after December 31, 2018.