The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), through its Directorate General of Customs Valuation, has significantly raised the customs valuation on dozens of older and used mobile phone models, triggering a sharp increase in import taxes.
The move affects 62 models across multiple brands, with valuation hikes reaching as high as 175 percent. As a result, consumers and importers in Pakistan are expected to face noticeably higher costs for second-hand and refurbished devices, as the revised values directly impact the duties and taxes applied at the time of import.
Under the revised valuation system, customs values for used Apple devices have been raised across multiple generations. The iPhone 15 Pro Max now stands at $505, up from $460, while the iPhone 15 Pro has increased to $472 from $390. The iPhone 15 Plus rose to $390, and the iPhone 15 to $378. Similar hikes apply to the iPhone 14 and 13 series, with notable increases across Pro and standard variants.
Older models have also seen substantial revisions. The iPhone 12 lineup now ranges up to $274 for the Pro Max, while iPhone 11 series values have climbed as high as $211. Some earlier devices, like the iPhone XS Max, remain unchanged, though others such as the iPhone XR and iPhone X have received moderate increases. Entry-level models, including the iPhone SE variants, have nearly doubled in valuation.
Among Android phones, Samsung’s flagship series has seen sharp increases. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra now stands at $305, with similar upward revisions across the S22, S21, and S20 lineups, as well as the Note series.
Google’s Pixel devices and OnePlus models have also been significantly adjusted, with newer models seeing the largest jumps, reflecting a broad increase in customs valuation across both premium and mid-range used smartphones.
