Paying the tax on an imported phone in Pakistan has just become easier for individuals. Under the Federal Board of Revenue’s Customs General Order (CGO) No. 06 of 2026, dated 22 October 2026, eligible individuals can now pay the sales tax on a phone registered through PTA’s DIRBS system in equal monthly instalments, instead of paying the whole amount at once.
What Has Changed?
CGO 06 of 2026 amends CGO 01 of 2019. It allows an eligible individual to opt, at the time of applying in DIRBS, to split the sales tax — and only the sales tax — into equal monthly instalments. One PSID (payment slip) is issued per month, so each instalment is paid separately through the normal banking channel.
This is a sales-tax instalment facility, not a phone-financing scheme. It is different from the device-purchase instalment policy discussed in parliament, which is about buying phones on instalments from sellers. This order is strictly about the tax paid to register a phone in DIRBS.
Who Can Use It?
The facility is for individuals only, not for traders or commercial importers. Eligible applicants include:
- International travellers bringing a phone in their baggage
- Local residents registering an unregistered phone
- Individuals importing a phone by post or courier
Commercial importers and traders cannot use this option.
How Do the Instalments Work?
The number of instalments depends on when you apply. It equals the number of months remaining in the financial year, including the month of application. For example, an application in November 2026 gives 8 instalments (November to June). All instalments must be paid before 30 June. An application in June must therefore be paid in full before 30 June — there is no instalment left to split into.
| Application month | Instalments |
|---|---|
| November 2026 | 8 monthly instalments |
| December 2026 | 7 monthly instalments |
| January 2027 | 6 monthly instalments |
| February 2027 | 5 monthly instalments |
| March 2027 | 4 monthly instalments |
| April 2027 | 3 monthly instalments |
| May 2027 | 2 monthly instalments |
| June 2027 | Full payment before 30 June |
Advance payment of instalments is allowed, so users can clear the balance early if they wish.
What Happens If You Miss an Instalment?
Missing an instalment has serious consequences. The user is treated as a defaulter, the phone is treated as unregistered and can be blocked in DIRBS, and the entire outstanding sales tax becomes immediately due — with no further instalment option. In short, the instalment facility only helps users who pay every month on time.
Important Cautions
The order covers sales tax only. It is silent on whether customs duty and other charges can also be split, so until DIRBS shows otherwise, users should assume those charges are due in full with the first payment. Also, independent checks reported on 1 November 2026 could not yet confirm the instalment option appearing on screen inside DIRBS, so users should confirm the option is live in their own DIRBS application before relying on it.
PTA Tax Instalments FAQs
Can I pay PTA mobile tax in instalments now?
Eligible individuals can opt to pay the sales tax in equal monthly instalments under FBR’s CGO 06 of 2026, at the time of applying in DIRBS.
Who is eligible for DIRBS tax instalments?
International travellers with a phone in baggage, local residents registering an unregistered phone, and individuals importing by post or courier. Traders and commercial importers are not eligible.
How many instalments will I get?
It depends on your application month: the count equals the months remaining in the financial year, including the application month. A November application gives 8 instalments; a June application must be paid in full before 30 June.
What happens if I miss an instalment?
You are treated as a defaulter, your phone is treated as unregistered and can be blocked in DIRBS, and the full outstanding sales tax becomes immediately due.
Does this cover customs duty too?
No. The order covers sales tax only. Customs duty and other charges should be assumed due in full until DIRBS shows otherwise.
Is this the same as buying a phone on instalments?
No. This is about paying the registration sales tax in instalments. Buying a phone itself on instalments from a seller is a separate matter.
Conclusion
For individuals facing a large one-time PTA tax bill, CGO 06 of 2026 is genuinely helpful — it spreads the sales tax across the remaining months of the financial year. But it is not a discount and not a safety net: miss one payment and the whole balance falls due and the phone can be blocked. Pay on time, every month, and the facility does exactly what it promises.
