KARACHI: Ministry of Commerce has notified amendments in the Import Policy Order enabling tightened control on the import of mobile phone sets and cellular devices.
SRO 1528(I)/2018 provides that import of mobile handsets and tablets is subject to the type approved by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and production of Certificate of Clearance (CoC) issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) after ensuring that the device has a valid GSMA IMEI etc. and white-listed in the Device Identification Registration & Blocking System (DIRBS).
Earlier to this amendment, mobile phones and tablets could be imported subject to production of type approval certificate from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) only.
Pakistan Customs has set up DIRBs counters at all airports for registration of mobile phones of Pakistan origin passengers. Instructions have also been displayed at airports.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has activated its Device Identification Registration & Blocking System (DIRBS) to crack down against counterfeit mobile phone usage and discourage phone theft.
“DIRBS is a forward working solution and is designed to cater for no service interruption for all Pakistani cellular mobile service users,” the PTA press release stated.
“After DIRBS implementation on 1st of December 2018, any new mobile device programmed with a non-standard IMEI number will be considered as non-compliant device and shall not be allowed any mobile connectivity/service in Pakistani territory as per PTA/DIRBS regulations.”
According to the Customs notified procedure 05 mobile phones are allowed to be imported by incoming passengers in a year on payment of duty and taxes and NOC certificate by DIRBs counter at the airport.
One mobile phone will be released without duty and taxes.
A passenger may register the mobile phone at respective Model Customs Collectorate within 15 days, if one is unable to get it done at the airport.
All foreigners are required to register their mobile phones’ IMEI numbers and activated on Pakistani sims.