PTA tax pushes iPhone 18 price in Pakistan far above global cost
Apple's iPhone 18 has landed in Pakistan, but the real shock isn't the phone. It's the PTA registration tax. For some models, the tax alone can hit nearly Rs300,000. That's more than the phone's global price. For many, it's a dealbreaker.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), not the PTA, is responsible for setting the tax amount on imported smartphones in Pakistan, while the PTA's DIRBS system only handles IMEI verification and network access control.
The registration fee isn't fixed. It changes based on the iPhone 18 model and its assessed value. Buyers have to check the latest PTA tax rates before buying. For some, the tax alone can reach Rs300,000. Add that to the retail price, and the total cost soars past what buyers pay in other countries. According to a detailed ARY News Urdu report, the estimated PTA/FBR tax for the iPhone 18 Pro starts at about Rs225,449 with a CNIC and Rs204,954 with a passport. Other models in the series see taxes from roughly Rs200,499 to Rs229,600, depending on registration method and device variant.
This isn't just a theoretical problem. The new iPhone series has sparked plenty of interest among Apple fans in Pakistan. But the high registration charges are making many think twice. For cost-conscious buyers, the PTA tax can turn an upgrade into a non-starter. There's no single number for all iPhone 18 devices. The final tax depends on the model, its value, and whether you register with a CNIC or passport.
Official registration for imported phones in Pakistan is processed through the DIRBS system: users can check IMEI status via the PTA/DIRBS portal or by SMS to 8484, and must pay the PSID at a bank within 7 days of receiving the payment code.
The PTA tax is making the iPhone 18 series almost unreachable for many. Early software bugs aren't helping. In Pakistan, owning the latest iPhone now means more than just buying the device. You have to navigate a system that can double the price overnight. Until these hurdles change, the iPhone 18 will stay out of reach for most. For now, Apple's newest flagship is a symbol of exclusivity, not just innovation.
