62 mobile models of different brands become more expensive after FBR hikes duties and taxes on used phones
The federal government has increased taxes on imported second-hand cell phones after increasing their customs value by up to 175 percent, making 62 models of different brands more expensive.
According to the documents available The Express PK Press ClubThe Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised the customs value of imported mobile phones through its Directorate General of Customs Valuation, issuing a new value ruling under which taxes will now be collected based on the revised values.
Officials said the increase in customs value has directly increased the tax burden on imported mobile phones. Following the new decision, 62 models of various well-known brands have become more expensive.
The new framework applies to all used mobile phones, regardless of their condition. It further requires that imported mobile phones must have been activated at least six months before importation, and importers are required to provide activation details, which will be verified by customs authorities.
The previous assessment decision was withdrawn and replaced with Assessment Decision No. 2070. Prices were determined based on market and import data, with officials warning that the cost of importing used cell phones is expected to rise significantly.
Under the revised structure, the customs value of a used iPhone 15 Pro Max increased from $460 to $505, while that of the iPhone 15 Pro increased from $390 to $472. The iPhone 15 Plus went from $320 to $390 and the iPhone 15 went from $310 to $378.
Likewise, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has been revised from $360 to $413, the iPhone 14 Pro from $290 to $350, and the iPhone 14 from $210 to $275. The iPhone 13 Pro Max went from $295 to $374, while the iPhone 13 Pro went from $225 to $293 and the iPhone 13 went from $170 to $225.
For older models, the iPhone 12 Pro Max went from $215 to $274, the iPhone 12 Pro from $155 to $222, and the iPhone 12 from $120 to $156. The iPhone 11 Pro Max has been revised from $145 to $211, the iPhone 11 Pro from $125 to $160, and the iPhone 11 from $95 to $133.
The customs value of the iPhone XS Max remained unchanged at $95, while that of the iPhone XS was increased from $66 to $73. The iPhone XR went from $76 to $80 and the iPhone X went from $57 to $70. The iPhone 8 Plus was revised from $47 to $78, while the iPhone 8 was revised from $38 to $45. The iPhone 7 Plus went from $26 to $35.
For entry-level models, the iPhone SE (2nd generation) was revised from $25 to $52, while the iPhone SE was revised from $25 to $47. The iPhone XS R3 also went from $25 to $47.
Among Android devices, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra went from $255 to $305, the S23 Plus from $160 to $260, and the S23 from $140 to $250. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G went from $160 to $260, while the S22 Plus 5G went from $75 to $180. The Galaxy S22 5G has been revised from $80 to $130.
The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G went from $69 to $150 and the S21 5G went from $50 to $110. The Galaxy S20 Plus was revised from $46 to $94, while the S20 went from $41 to $75. The Galaxy S10 Plus went from $25 to $60, the S10 from $25 to $54, and the S10e from $25 to $49.
For the Note series, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra went from $115 to $145, the Note 20 from $59 to $95, the Note 10 from $41 to $60, and the Note 9 from $25 to $50.
Google Pixel devices have also seen significant revisions. The Pixel 9 Pro XL went from $260 to $348, while the Pixel 9 Pro went from $195 to $290 and the Pixel 9 went from $150 to $215. The Pixel 8 Pro went from $188 to $215 and the Pixel 8a went from $98 to $120. The Pixel 7 Pro was revised from $119 to $145, while the Pixel 7 went from $59 to $105.
The Pixel 6 Pro went from $55 to $110, the Pixel 6 from $32 to $94, the Pixel 6a from $28 to $82, and the Pixel 5 from $18 to $47. The Pixel 5a 5G also went from $18 to $47.
OnePlus models have also been revised, with the OnePlus 12 going from $184 to $211, the 12R from $105 to $176, the 11 from $92 to $121, the 10T from $60 to $90, and the 10 Pro from $65 to $113.
The FBR has clarified in the assessment order that used mobile phones imported in commercial quantities without packaging or accessories will be assessed based on the values given in the relevant table, irrespective of their condition or quality.
It has also become mandatory that these mobile phones have been activated at least six months before export, and importers will be required to declare activation periods, subject to verification by customs officials.
If a brand or model is not listed but is imported in commercial quantity, its value will be determined in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1969. If the values declared on the invoice are higher than the prescribed customs values, duties and taxes will be levied on the higher value.
The decision further states that freight differences for air and sea shipments will also be included in the assessment. Customs services on the ground have been tasked with strictly implementing the new decision.
