Prices of mobile chargers and batteries have gone up after an increase of 15 cents in import duty on chargers and 32 cents on batteries, hurting small dealers some of whom have closed their shops.
The Federal Board of Revenue increased import duty on these two mobile accessories following cases of heavy under-invoicing by importers in the purchase of Chinese mobile chargers and batteries.
According to new import duty rates, the FBR will collect 25 cents on mobile chargers, up from 10 cents and 40 cents on mobile batteries, up from 8 cents.
It is learnt that the Customs Department had earlier prepared a report which pointed to huge under-invoicing in the import of Chinese mobile batteries and chargers. For that, the department collected information about prices from China and the importers which showed a huge difference.
In light of the findings of the report, the Customs management invited the importers of mobile accessories to explain their point of view. The department also wanted to negotiate with the importers on import duty. However, none of the importers responded to the Customs’ call.
Resultantly, in consultation with senior Customs officials, minimum price of unbranded Chinese mobile batteries was fixed at $0.40 (around Rs34). Similarly, minimum import price of unbranded Chinese mobile chargers was fixed at $0.25 (around Rs21.25).
The price of Chinese mobile batteries has risen from Rs100 to Rs130 and that of chargers from Rs50 to Rs80 at the Hall Road and Hafeez Centre, the two famous markets of mobile and electronics goods in Lahore.
Anjuman-e-Tajiran Hall Road President Baber Mehmood said the government had increased the duty on imported mobile batteries and chargers without consulting the importers and traders. He claimed that millions of rupees worth of imported consignments were lying at the dry port as the importers were unable to pay high duty.
On a visit to the Hall Road and Hafeez Centre, The News found that roadside dealers and small stallholders, who sold imported Chinese items, had closed their business after the imposition of high duty.
Traders said the small stallholders and vendors had switched to selling mobile pouches and stickers. They were of the view that the government must reconsider the increase in customs duty on imported Chinese mobile accessories as a large number of poor people were deprived of their source of earning.
Via The News
who bears the burden of the increase in customs tax in the end?
USD0.32 is approximately Pak.Rs27..
by Pakistan’s way of practise in business,
retailers will now be selling items by increasing Rs50 rather than Rs27.
all the retailers need is a reason/excuse to raise prices.
ya tau thru check & balance market price bhi regulate kijaye (e.g. falan falan cheez is se ziyada keemat par nahe baichi jayegi) tab tau mei bhi 1 round of applause doun apni RESPONSIBLE govt ko…
with complements of… “wah ji wah… wakaye koi action liya hay”
apart from that if looked at from the point of those baicharay ghareeb banday jho chargers/batteries baich kar ghar chala rahay thay (taking into consideration from the above written article that “some small dealers have closed their shops” is actually a fact),
then why does the GOVT. behaves so irresponsibly of NOT taking the aftermath of their shameful 32 cent hike in customs into consideration?
1 jaga kehtay hein ghurbat mitaa dayni hay
aur dusri jaga ghareeb ko apni inhi harkaton se baybas karkay rakhdaytay hein…
actually using common sense ghurbat wakaye mei mitt jayegi…
ask how/pucho bhala kaisay?
ghareeb awam mardalo..
jab mulk mei ghareeb he nahe hongay tau poverty khud ba khud mitjayegi =)
I guess the reason would be increase in demand due to loadshedding. Is it true for laptop batteries as well? :(
Hello,,up to me the most importers of mobile batteries and chargers dont pay custom duty,if they pay cost become so higher,i can bet all people do smugling of these items,from peshawar side,,,but pakistani government dont notice them i dont kmow why