FBR report exposes $7.19 million illegal smartphone imports

According to an official report from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), mobile phones worth $7.19 million have been imported into Pakistan illegally without opening letters of credit (LCs) or using the banking channel.

The report also states that despite an unannounced ban by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on the import of mobile phones and their accessories, 52 Goods Declarations (GDs) worth $8.65m were cleared between December 2022 and February 2023.

The mobile phones were imported in Completely Build Up (CBU) condition and only $1.46m was paid legally out of Pakistan through the banking channel. The remaining $7.19m was illegally transferred out of Pakistan. The FBR report does not provide details about the mode of payment made to suppliers in Dubai for the import of these mobile phones.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has stated that manufacturers imported over 190,000 mobile phones in CBU condition under a facility allowed to them. However, despite restrictions set by the banking sector on imports, some companies are still reportedly importing mobile phones under their manufacturing license.

The import of smartphones has increased, especially after at least 30 manufacturing units in Pakistan halted production due to import restrictions.