Used imported mobiles become costlier after 175% FBR hike

62 mobile models of various brands become costlier after FBR increases duties, taxes on used phones

The federal government has increased taxes on used imported mobile phones after raising their customs valuation by up to 175%, making 62 models of various brands more expensive.

According to documents available to The Express Tribune, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised the customs valuation of imported mobile phones through its Directorate General of Customs Valuation, issuing a new valuation ruling under which taxes will henceforth be collected based on revised values.

Officials said the increase in customs valuation has directly raised the tax burden on imported mobile phones. Following the new ruling, 62 models of various well-known brands have become costlier.

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 import, and importers are required to provide activation details, which will be verified by customs authorities.

The previous valuation ruling has been withdrawn and replaced with Valuation Ruling No. 2070. Prices have been determined on the basis of market and import data, with officials warning that the cost of importing used mobile phones is expected to rise significantly.

Under the revised structure, the customs value of a used iPhone 15 Pro Max has been increased from $460 to $505, while the iPhone 15 Pro has been raised from $390 to $472. The iPhone 15 Plus has increased from $320 to $390, and the iPhone 15 from $310 to $378.

Similarly, 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 has been increased from $295 to $374, while the iPhone 13 Pro has been raised from $225 to $293 and the iPhone 13 from $170 to $225.

For older models, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has been increased 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 has been kept unchanged at $95, while the iPhone XS has been increased from $66 to $73. The iPhone XR has been raised from $76 to $80, and the iPhone X from $57 to $70. The iPhone 8 Plus has been increased from $47 to $78, while the iPhone 8 has been revised from $38 to $45. The iPhone 7 Plus has increased from $26 to $35.

For entry-level models, the iPhone SE (2nd generation) has been increased from $25 to $52, while the iPhone SE has been revised from $25 to $47. The iPhone XS R3 has also been increased from $25 to $47.

Among Android devices, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has increased from $255 to $305, the S23 Plus from $160 to $260, and the S23 from $140 to $250. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G has been raised from $160 to $260, while the S22 Plus 5G has been increased from $75 to $180. The Galaxy S22 5G has been revised from $80 to $130.

The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G has been increased from $69 to $150, and the S21 5G from $50 to $110. The Galaxy S20 Plus has been revised from $46 to $94, while the S20 has been increased from $41 to $75. The Galaxy S10 Plus has been raised 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 has been increased 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 has been increased from $260 to $348, while the Pixel 9 Pro has been raised from $195 to $290, and the Pixel 9 from $150 to $215. The Pixel 8 Pro has increased from $188 to $215, and the Pixel 8a from $98 to $120. The Pixel 7 Pro has been revised from $119 to $145, while the Pixel 7 has been increased from $59 to $105.

The Pixel 6 Pro has been raised 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 has also been increased from $18 to $47.

OnePlus models have also been revised, with the OnePlus 12 increased 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 valuation ruling that used mobile phones imported in commercial quantities without packaging or accessories will be assessed according to the values listed in the relevant table, regardless of condition or grading.

It has also been made mandatory that such mobile phones must have been activated at least six months before export, and importers will be required to declare activation periods, subject to verification by customs collectors.

If any brand or model is not included in the list but is imported in commercial quantity, its valuation will be determined under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1969. If declared invoice values are higher than the prescribed customs values, duties and taxes will be applied on the higher value.

The ruling further states that freight differences for air and sea shipments will also be included in valuation. Customs field formations have been directed to strictly implement the new ruling.