The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a comprehensive procedure aimed at assisting business importers in complying with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regulations regarding unregistered mobile phones with SIM/IMEI functionality.
Outlined in the revised Customs General Order (CGO) No. 01 of 2019 (referred to as CGO 1 of 2024), the FBR has clarified the steps necessary for registering mobile devices intended for business use with the PTA.
Under the updated guidelines, commercial importers are required to obtain a Certificate of Clearance (COC) for devices that have already undergone type clearance as per the PTA’s procedures.
Commercial importers are instructed to register through the PTA Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) online portal, accessible at dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs, and submit all necessary documentation as per PTA’s prescribed process.
Upon submission, the system rigorously verifies IMEI numbers to ensure compliance with approved models and to prevent dealing with stolen, duplicated, or cloned devices. Subsequently, the application is forwarded to the FBR WeBOC system for further processing.
To complete the FBR/Customs procedure, applicants must log into their WeBOC accounts. Upon approval by the FBR in WeBOC, the DIRBS system automatically generates a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for the submitted application.
This streamlined process facilitates the legal importation and sale of mobile devices in Pakistan, while also ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. It underscores the FBR’s commitment to maintaining regulatory compliance in the telecommunications industry while promoting efficiency and transparency in trade practices.
To initiate a commercial DIRBS account, follow these steps:
1. Click on the provided link.
2. Select the Sign-Up option.
3. Choose the Commercial option from the drop-down menu.
4. Enter the required Sign Up credentials.
5. Send an email to [email protected] to activate the account. Approval will be granted upon verification of the provided credentials.
6. Log into your account to apply for CoC and proceed with the necessary steps. Upload the list of IMEIs in CSV format along with all supporting documentation as required.