ISLAMABAD – Pakistanis may soon get a good news over the import ofsmartphones.
The federal government is mulling over restoring the duty-free import ofSmartphones link by international passengers.
It is also exploring ways to curb the misuse of the facility previouslyaccorded to international passengers.
One suggestion under consideration is the introduction of a biometricverification system for travelers coming from foreign countries.
On 1 July 2019, the government outlawed the import of smartphones byinternational travelers after numerous reports surfaced confirming misuseof the facility and subsequent tax evasion.
Moreover, some passengers who imported smartphones even used fake passportnumbers and flight data in the mobile registration software only to claiman exemption under baggage rules.
Another disturbing factor leading up to the ban on duty-free import wasthat numerous smartphone retailers in collusion with travel agentsregistered expensive smartphones using the information of unsuspectinginternational passengers.
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Besides, the government also wanted to apply uniform taxes for smartphoneswhether brought into the country by passengers or locally procured.
But now, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinetwill be considering restoring the facility in its upcoming meeting.
The ECC will only give the green signal if the government manages toimplement a robust verification system to stop the misuse.
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*Via: Business Recorderlink*
