Budget 2017-18: Taxes on Smartphones Decreased

Government of Pakistan has reduced taxes on certain kind of smartphones, the budget document has claimed.

According to details, one category — for which import duty was Rs. 1,000 — has been reduced to Rs. 650.

Government said that the step has been taken to increase the uptake of smartphones in the country.

It must be mentioned that there were three categories of handsets as following:

• Feature phone – Import Duty: Rs. 300
• Low end smartphone – Import Duty: Rs. 650 (Previously it was Rs. 1,000)
• High end smartphone – Import Duty: Rs. 1,500

It must be noted here that import duty for two other categories of phones will remain intact.

It merits noting here that import duty on smartphones was increased from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500 with-in last two years only, which has now been slashed partially.