ISLAMABAD: In a move to encourage local mobile phone manufacturing, the government on Thursday revised the upward regulatory duty in flat rates for six different slabs according to import value of the cellphones.

The regulatory duty on import of mobile phones valuing up to $30 will remain at a flat rate of Rs300 per set, while it will be charged at the rate of Rs3,000 per set on mobile phone value above $30 per set but not exceeding $100 including smartphones having value up to $ 30 per set. The earlier regulatory rate was Rs2,940.

The regulatory duty was revised to Rs7,500 per set from Rs4,510 on mobile phones valuing above $100 per set but not exceeding $200 per set.

The rate was edged up to Rs11,000 per set from Rs6,180 per set on mobile phones valuing above $200 per set but not exceeding $350 per set.

The rate of duty was revised downward to Rs15,000 from Rs17,650 on mobile phones valuing above $350 per set but not exceeding $500 per set. The rate was revised on mobile phone value above $500 per set to Rs22,000 per set from Rs31,520.

The FBR estimated to raise an additional Rs16bn from revision in three slabs.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2021