FBR to not allow import of new phones without IMEIs
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will not allow import of new phones including cellular phones without proper International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEIs). Sources told Business Recorder here on Sunday that the FBR has issued instructions to the Collectors of Customs Model Customs Collectorates regarding Suo moto case No 16 of 2011 (regarding Law & Order situation in Karachi), restriction on imports of phones without proper IMEIs.
Refer to the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s order dated 29.4.2013 in Suo Moto case No 16/2011 (regarding Law & Order situation in Karachi) and to say that import of phones without proper IMEIs may not be allowed, the FBR’s directive said.
The Collectors of Customs are requested to ensure that compliance of the above instructions are adhered to and receipt of this direction may please be acknowledged, the FBR added.
When contacted, an expert said that at present there is no ban on the import of new phones without proper IMEIs. Following the FBR’s new instructions to the Collectors of Customs, the customs would not allow clearance of imported phones without proper The International Mobile Station Equipment Identity.
If the government intends to verify whether duties and taxes have been duly paid on the imported new cellular phone, it could be checked with the help of the IMEIs. This would also be instrumental in verifying whether the phone has been legally imported or not. In case of IMEIs of cellular phones, these could be located to check stolen phones etc, they added.
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