There is a reason why the new iPhones are so expensive in Pakistan.
Import taxes have been raised yet again, such that a basic iPhone 14 now costs more than last year’s iPhone 13 Pro Max with double the capacity.
A 128 GB iPhone 14 costs Rs. 419,999, a basic iPhone 14 Plus costs Rs. 459,999, the lowest iPhone 14 Pro costs Rs. 489,999, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max costs Rs. 529,999. However, they are calculated using commercial rates, which are always greater than the entire cost of a phone including import taxes.
The new rates for import taxes are shown in the tables below. These rates have been in force since August 22 and will remain in effect until the same day next year. As is customary, the fees for imports made using passports and CNIC vary.
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 figures, importing an iPhone 14 through passport should cost about Rs. 276,100.
A basic iPhone 14 costs $799 (Rs. 184,701). The entire value is Rs. 276,100 after adding 17% sales tax (Rs. 31,399) and Rs. 60,000.
This shows how large of a profit margin phone retailers typically have.
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This means that all upcoming phones, particularly flagship phones, will be priced exorbitantly in Pakistan. Samsung’s latest foldables, for example, can easily cost you Rs. 400,000 or more.
