The insane price of the new iPhones in Pakistan has a purpose. A base-level iPhone 14 now costs more than the iPhone 13 Pro Max with double the storage from last year due to yet another increase in import taxes.
A 128 GB iPhone 14 will set you back at Rs. 419,999, a base iPhone 14 Plus at Rs. 459,999, at Rs. 489,999 iPhone 14 Pro will be available, and at Rs. 529,999 iPhone 14 Pro Max will be available.
These, however, are based on commercial rates, which are invariably more than the sum of the import taxes and the cost of the phone.
The tables below indicate the updated rates for the import taxes only. It should be noted that these prices began to apply on August 22 and will continue to do so until the same day the following year.
As always, the fees for imports done through passports and CNIC are different.
Passport Rates
| Mobile Phone Value in USD | Fixed Rate in PKR |
| Up to 30 | 1230 |
| Above 30 and up to 100 | 6400 |
| Above 100 and up to 200 | 17280 |
| Above 200 and up to 350 | 23800 + 17% Sales Tax |
| Above 350 and up to 500 | 34000 + 17% Sales Tax |
| Above 500 and up to 700 | 52000 + 17% Sales Tax |
| Above 700 | 60000 + 17% Sales Tax |
CNIC Rates
| Mobile Phone Value in USD | Fixed Rate in PKR |
| Up to 30 | 1430 |
| Above 30 and up to 100 | 7843 |
| Above 100 and up to 200 | 20031 |
| Above 200 and up to 350 | 24770 + 17% Sales Tax |
| Above 350 and up to 500 | 39000 + 17% Sales Tax |
| Above 500 and up to 700 | 635000 + 17% Sales Tax |
| Above 700 | 71500 + 17% Sales Tax |
According to these tariffs, it would cost roughly Rs. 276100 to import an iPhone 14 through a passport. The base price of an iPhone 14 is $799, or Rs. 184,701.
The final price is Rs. 276,100 after 17% sales tax (Rs. 31,399) and Rs. 60,000 have been added. This demonstrates the huge margins that phone sellers typically enjoy.
This implies that all subsequent phones, especially flagship phones, will be released in Pakistan with insane price tags. For instance, the new Samsung foldables would likely set you back at least Rs. 400,000.
To read our blog on “Import taxes may be raised by the government,” click here.
