Apple’s newly launched iPhone Duo is set to carry a steep registration levy in Pakistan, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) estimating a tax of roughly PKR 323,000 for buyers registering the device with a passport and up to PKR 353,000 for those using a CNIC. The figures, released as preliminary calculations, have not yet been finalised, but they signal a potentially prohibitive cost for Pakistani consumers.
The PTA’s provisional rates combine the standard customs duty, sales tax, and the mandatory registration fee that all imported mobile phones must bear before they can be activated on local networks. Because the iPhone Duo is classified as a premium‑segment smartphone, it attracts the highest tariff brackets, which pushes the total tax burden into the six‑figure rupee range. The difference between passport‑based and CNIC‑based registration reflects the slightly higher duty applied to devices imported by individuals rather than by corporate entities.
If the estimates hold, the registration tax would add more than half the device’s retail price to the final cost, making the iPhone Duo one of the most expensive smartphones on the Pakistani market. Analysts warn that such a price shock could deter middle‑class buyers and curb the handset’s market penetration, especially when comparable flagship models from local and regional brands are available at considerably lower total costs.
Local retailers have already expressed concern that the high levy could shrink demand for the new Apple offering. Many smartphone sellers in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad rely on volume sales of high‑end devices, and a sudden surge in registration expenses may force them to reconsider ordering the iPhone Duo in large quantities. The potential slowdown could also affect Apple’s broader ecosystem in the country, from accessory sales to service centre revenues.
Consumers are being urged to wait for the PTA’s final notification before committing to a purchase. The authority has indicated that it will publish the exact tax rates and registration procedures in the coming weeks, which may lead to adjustments in the preliminary numbers. Until then, prospective buyers should factor in the possible registration cost when budgeting for the iPhone Duo, as the added expense could substantially alter the device’s affordability and overall value proposition in Pakistan.