Importers call unfair duty on used cellphones.

Byline: Usman Hanif

KARACHI -- The government has slapped the same duty on the import of used cellphones that has been imposed on new mobile phones, without taking into consideration depreciation of old handsets, which is completely unfair, remarked a second-hand cellphone importer.

Pakistan imports nearly one million used smartphones every month as these are cheaper and customers prefer them. The government had allowed the import of used phones but the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) did not issue the required Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO), said Karachi Electronics Dealers Association (KEDA) President Muhammad Rizwan Irfan at a press conference at the body's head office on Tuesday.

He pointed out that the SRO issued was not specific and imposed the same duty on both used and new cellphones.

'More than 90% of the consumers buy used handsets. Delay in issuance of the specific SRO has caused uncertainty among businessmen,' he said. 'We are in talks with all relevant stakeholders. Previously, the import of used phones was not allowed; now the new government...