Check the IMEI before you buy
Every handset has an IMEI, visible in the dial pad using the standard code or in the settings under device information. PTA's device verification service reports whether that IMEI is approved for use on local networks.
Do this before paying for any used or imported phone. A blocked IMEI turns an otherwise good handset into a wifi-only device, and the seller's assurance is not verification.
The visitor window
Travellers get a limited period during which one handset works on Pakistani networks without registration. It is designed for short visits, not for importing a phone quietly.
Once the window closes, the device stops connecting to local networks until duty is paid and registration completes. Keep your passport and travel dates handy, because eligibility is tied to them.
How duty is assessed
Duty depends on the declared value bracket of the handset and on whether registration is done with a passport shortly after arrival or with a CNIC later. The passport route is generally cheaper for eligible travellers.
Because the amounts are set by notification and change, treat any figure you read anywhere — including the tables on this site — as a guide, and confirm the payable amount in the official portal before paying.
The registration steps
Create an account in the official device registration system, enter your IMEI and traveller details, generate a payment slip, pay through a bank or app, then wait for confirmation. Approval typically follows within a day or two of payment clearing.
Keep the payment receipt. If a device shows as unregistered later, the receipt and the slip number are what resolve it.