ISLAMABAD: FBR Revises Customs Values for Used Mobile Phones 62 Models from 4 Major Brands to Become Cheaper
The FBR Customs Valuation Department has issued revised customs values for used mobile phones imported from abroad.
Due to the new and lower rates, a total of 62 models from 4 major brands will now attract significantly reduced PTA taxes.
Under the updated valuation rates, the customs value of phones from one well-known brand has been reduced by between 32% and 89%.
According to valuation officials, the previous system often involved inflated prices, under-invoicing, and improper grading of used phones, which caused delays in clearance and ultimately burdened consumers with higher costs.
he branded mobile phone market in Pakistan remains highly competitive and dynamic as of early 2026, with a strong shift toward affordable and mid-range smartphones.
Local assembly now meets over 90-95% of domestic demand, reducing reliance on imports and keeping prices more accessible despite currency fluctuations and occasional global supply issues.
Chinese brands dominate the budget and mid-tier segments, where value-for-money features like large batteries, high-refresh-rate displays, and decent cameras drive popularity.
Transsion Group (Infinix, Tecno, Itel) leads overall with around 40-44% market share in recent quarters, followed closely by Vivo (12-17%), Samsung (10-13%), Xiaomi (around 14-18%), and Oppo (6-10%).
Infinix frequently tops usage stats (around 15-16% in late 2025 data), appealing to price-sensitive consumers with models like the Hot and Zero series.
Samsung holds strong in the premium and reliable mid-range category, while Apple (iPhone) enjoys premium loyalty despite higher costs, often capturing 15-20% in value terms or among higher-income users.
Emerging trends include rising smartphone penetration (now over 70% of devices), growing local production (over 30 million units assembled in 2025), and focus on 5G-ready models as rollout expectations build.
Overall, consumers benefit from intense competition, frequent launches, and falling prices on used/refurbished branded phones due to recent customs revisions—making branded options more attainable across budgets.
