You bought a phone from abroad. Or you picked up a used phone from a shop. You put your SIM in, and it works. Then one day the network stops. You cannot call or message anyone.
That is what happens when a phone is not registered in Pakistan's device system. Everyone calls it PTA tax. The money actually goes to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Here is how to pay it online, step by step, without getting cheated.
What is PTA tax, really?
PTA tax is a nickname. The tax is imposed and collected by FBR, not by PTA. PTA runs the registration system, called DIRBS. It stands for Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System. PTA has clarified that DIRBS itself is free. The taxes paid through it go to FBR.
DIRBS has been watching phone IMEI numbers since December 2018, when it was launched. A phone whose IMEI is not registered gets blocked from Pakistani networks. FBR explains the whole system on its mobile devices regularization page.
When do you owe the tax?
New phones from authorized dealers in Pakistan are already registered. The tax was paid when the phones were imported. You do not pay again.
You owe the tax when your phone is not registered:
- You brought it from abroad in your luggage.
- You bought a used phone that was never registered.
- Someone sent you a phone from another country.
If you are a traveler, you have 60 days from arrival to register your phone. That rule is in FBR's Customs General Order 01 of 2019, as amended. After 60 days, you pay a fine on top of the tax.
If you buy an unregistered phone, the buyer has to pay. PTA's advisory for buyers says the buyer must pay all applicable taxes and duties within 60 days. So check the phone before you pay for it.
Step 1: find your IMEI number
IMEI is the 15 digit number that identifies your phone on the network.
Open your dialer and type *#06#. The number appears on the screen. If your phone takes two SIMs, note both numbers. You can also find the IMEI on the phone's box.
Step 2: check if the phone is registered
Before paying anything, check the phone's status:
- On the web, open the DIRBS portal and use the device check.
- On your phone, install the official PTA DVS app.
- From a phone with a local SIM, you can dial *#8484# to reach the DIRBS registration utility, as set out in FBR's procedure.
If the phone is already registered, you are done. If it shows as non compliant, continue.
Step 3: create a DIRBS account and add your phone
Go to dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs and sign up. You will need your CNIC or passport number. Log in and add your phone by entering the IMEI.
The system checks the model and its value. It calculates the tax from FBR's valuation tables and generates a PSID. PSID means Payment Slip ID. It is the number of your payment slip.
Step 4: pay the PSID
The official procedure gives you these options:
- Online banking
- Mobile banking apps
- ATMs
- Bank branches of major banks
Enter the PSID, pay the amount, and save the receipt. The money goes to FBR through the banking system.
One warning from PTA: pay the tax yourself, only through authorized banking channels. Agents who promise to get your phone registered for a fee are a risk. PTA has warned people about fraudulent intermediaries.
Step 5: after payment
Once the payment is confirmed, the phone is whitelisted in DIRBS. Whitelisted means the phone is now allowed on Pakistani networks. Your SIM works again.
Keep the PSID receipt and the confirmation. You may need them later.
Overseas Pakistanis and visitors
Are you an overseas Pakistani or a foreign visitor on a short trip? You can register one phone temporarily. The process in FBR's procedure has no tax payment step for this. It is free for 120 days. The phone is linked to your SIM, so only your number works on it. After 120 days, the phone is blocked from local networks. You can apply again on your next visit, or pay the full tax if you are staying longer. PTA has reminded travelers about these rules.
How much will you pay?
The tax depends on the phone's value. FBR works in US dollars, using the C&F value, which is the cost of the phone plus freight. The rate schedule sets a fixed rupee amount for each value band.
In the published schedule, the lowest band covers phones worth up to 30 US dollars. The fixed amount there was about Rs 430 with a passport registration, and Rs 550 with a CNIC. The amounts rise in steps as the value goes up. Phones in the higher bands also carry sales tax on top. You can see the rate of duty and taxes on mobile phones on the FBR site.
Two things to remember. Registering with a passport within 60 days of arrival costs less than registering with a CNIC. And the rates change whenever FBR updates them. The exact figure for your phone shows up when you enter the IMEI on DIRBS. That is the number to trust.
What this means for you
Check the registration status before you buy a used phone. A phone that looks cheap can get expensive once the tax and fine are added.
Pay only through official banking channels. Keep your receipts. If a deal sounds too easy, the phone is probably unregistered.
Also know that an individual can register up to five phones in a year in DIRBS, per PTA policy. And the same official systems now run many records. You can check your FIR online the same way, from your phone.
Sources: FBR, Mobile Devices Regularization DIRBS; FBR, Customs General Order 01 of 2019 as amended in 2024; PTA advisory for mobile device buyers, February 2025; PTA reminder for international travelers, January 2025.
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