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How to Pay PTA Tax & check PTA Tax Online in Pakistan

How to pay pta tax in pakistan
June 28, 2025 / 0 comment

If you’re importing or registering a mobile phone or any communication device in Pakistan, you’ve likely come across the term “PTA Tax“. Whether you’re an individual bringing a phone from abroad or a business involved in importing electronics, understanding how to pay PTA tax is essential for legal compliance and uninterrupted device usage.
This detailed guide explains everything you need to know about PTA tax in 2025, what it is, why it matters, and how to pay PTA tax online. Plus, we’ll show how Efiling can help you navigate the complexities of tax compliance, including FBR Notices and Appeals, Income Tax, and Sales Tax Registration.

What Is PTA Tax?

PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) tax is the custom duty and regulatory fee applied on imported mobile phones and communication devices that need to be registered with DIRBS (Device Identification Registration and Blocking System). The PTA verifies device legitimacy, ensures IMEI compliance, and helps block smuggled or unauthorized phones in Pakistan.
PTA tax typically includes:

  1. Custom Duty
  2. Regulatory Duty
  3. Sales Tax
  4. WHT (Withholding Tax)
  5. Mobile Levy

Who Needs to Pay PTA Tax?

PTA tax applies to both individuals and businesses who bring or import communication devices such as mobile phones into Pakistan. Here’s who must pay:

  1. Travelers bringing phones from abroad must register them within 60 days to avoid blocking.
  2. Online shoppers who order mobile phones from international platforms.
  3. Retailers, resellers, and wholesalers in mobile devices.
  4. Businesses operating with an Imp & Exp License / PSW / Weboc Registration, as their import consignments go through customs.
  5. Freelancers and IT professionals who import smart devices for service delivery.
  6. If you’re not compliant, you may face additional duties, FBR Notices and Appeals, and device restrictions.

If your phone is not PTA approved, it may be blocked after 60 days of usage on local networks.

PTA Tax Payment Methods

1. DIRBS Portal (Online Payment)

Visit https://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs and follow these steps:

  1. Create an account or log in.
  2. Select ‘Individual CNIC’ or ‘Passport’ depending on your case.
  3. Enter device IMEI(s).
  4. Generate PTA Tax Payment Slip (PSID).
  5. Pay via:

Online banking (HBL, Meezan, etc.)
Mobile banking apps
ATM machines
OTC payment at banks

2.Through WeBOC (For Importers)

For businesses with Imp & Exp License / PSW / Weboc Registration, PTA tax is paid via WeBOC linked to Pakistan Customs.

  1. Declare the device via GD (Goods Declaration)
  2. Tax estimate generated in WeBOC
  3. Pay via bank challan or online transfer
  4. Submit documents for clearance
PTA Tax

How to Check PTA Tax Rates

Tax rates vary by phone model, brand, and declared value. You can:

  1. Visit the PTA DIRBS calculator
  2. Contact Efiling.pk for an accurate estimate based on latest FBR valuation rules
  3. Use Bookkeeping & Accounting Services to maintain records of tax-paid imports

Why PTA Tax Compliance Matters

Failing to pay PTA tax may result in:

  1. Permanent device blockage
  2. Legal penalties
  3. Difficulty in business imports or customs clearance
  4. Receipt of FBR Notices and Appeals

If you’re a business, maintaining compliance helps with:

  1. Smooth Business/Firm Registration
  2. Renewing Chamber/Professional Tax Registration
  3. PEC Pak Engineering Council Registration if importing technical tools
  4. Pak Software Export Board Registration for exporters handling smart devices

How to Pay PTA Tax Online

Here’s how you can pay your PTA tax from the comfort of your home:

  1. Log in to DIRBS Portal
  2. Add IMEI numbers
  3. Get the PSID (Payment Slip ID)
  4. Pay through bank’s mobile app (HBL, Meezan, UBL, etc.)
  5. Receive confirmation email/SMS
  6. Check device approval status in DIRBS

PTA Tax and Your Filer Status

Your filer status has a direct impact on how much PTA tax you pay. If you are a non-filer:

  1. You’ll be charged higher Withholding Tax (WHT) on mobile phone registration.
  2. You may experience processing delays and face FBR Notices and Appeals.
  3. Your information will be scrutinized more strictly during customs clearance.

Conversely, being a filer means:

  1. Lower WHT charges.
  2. Smoother import procedures for phones.
  3. Easier access to government and commercial services.

To avoid unnecessary tax burdens and legal complications, check our guide on Filer and Non-Filer to understand the benefits. Efiling simplifies your Income Tax and Sales Tax Registration, helping you become a filer and stay compliant. . If you’re a non-filer:

  1. You’ll be charged higher Withholding Tax (WHT)
  2. You may face more scrutiny and FBR Notices and Appeals
  3. To avoid this, check our guide on Filer and Non-Filer and how to become a filer.

Efiling helps  you with complete Income Tax & Sales Tax Reg & Returns so you can get added to the ATL (Active Taxpayers List).

Efiling PTA Tax

Role of Efiling in PTA Tax Compliance

Whether you’re an individual or a business, Efiling helps by:

  1. Explaining how to pay PTA tax online
  2. Guiding how to register a company in Pakistan for import/export business
  3. Ensuring your Bookkeeping & Accounting Services are aligned with tax rules
  4. Filing your Income Tax and Sales Tax Registration properly
  5. Resolving FBR Notices and Appeals fast

How to Register Your Business for Importing Devices

If you’re planning to import and sell mobile phones or smart devices in Pakistan, proper business registration is essential. Here’s what you need:

  1. Complete Business/Firm Registration with Efiling to get your entity legally recognized.
  2. Obtain an Imp & Exp License / PSW / Weboc Registration for customs clearance and legal imports.
  3. Secure your Chamber/Professional Tax Registration to be eligible for trade memberships.
  4. PEC Registration in Pakistan for Engineers.
  5. Ensure timely filing of Income Tax & Sales Tax Reg & Returns to maintain ATL status and avoid penalties.

With Efiling’s help, your mobile import business will be fully compliant, efficient, and legally protected., consider full Business/Firm Registration with support from Efiling. You’ll also need:

  1. Imp & Exp License / PSW / Weboc Registration
  2. Chamber/Professional Tax Registration
  3. Pakistan Software Export Board for software houses registration
  4. Filings for Income Tax & Sales Tax Reg & Returns

This ensures your imports are compliant, legal, and profitable.

FAQs About How to Pay PTA Tax

Visit https://dirbs.pta.gov.pk and enter your phone’s IMEI.

Yes, via ATM, online banking, or OTC at partner banks like HBL, Meezan, etc.

Your device will be blocked from local networks, and you may be fined.

Absolutely! From Business/Firm Registration to FBR Notices and Appeals, we provide complete support.

Yes, non-filers pay more. Visit our Filer and Non-Filer blog to learn more and become compliant.

Conclusion

Paying PTA tax is no longer a hassle with digital tools and expert guidance. Whether you’re an individual with a foreign phone or a business planning to import and distribute devices, timely payment and tax compliance is essential.
With Efiling by your side, from how to pay PTA tax online to Income Tax and Sales Tax Registration, everything is streamlined for your convenience.
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