FBR halts 'one person, one mobile phone' policy proposal

Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Rashid Mahmood Langrial, halted the implementation of the "one person, one mobile phone" proposal on Tuesday. This proposal was recommended to curb the import of commercial quantities as personal luggage.

FBR officials proposed amendments to the Baggage Rule 2006 on Tuesday, but in a recent development, the tax authority withdrew the proposal, and the previous rule of allowing two mobile phones remains in force.

Under the suggested guidelines, passengers arriving from abroad would have been allowed to bring only one mobile phone for personal use, with any additional phones to be confiscated.

According to some reports, the decision was reversed following an outcry from overseas Pakistanis.

Additionally, officials were directed to step back from the suggestion of imposing a 30% tax on imported luggage valued beyond $1,200. However, this proposal will be revisited after further consultation.

Earlier, the revenue body had announced an amended rule defining the limitations on bringing “commercial quantities” of goods into Pakistan.

A “commercial quantity” is defined as items brought for trading or funding purposes.

With the latest recommended amendment to Rule 17, FBR proposed, "Goods brought in commercial quantities shall not be released upon payment of duty, taxes, and redemption fines."