pta 2018 REGULATION WATCH

Type Approval Regulations (Devices & Equipment)

Telecom & Connectivity

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Briefing

By Rahnuma · AI-generated

The Type Approval Technical Standards (Amendment) Regulations, 2022 (S.R.O. 1515(II)/2022), published August 16, 2022, amend the Type Approval Technical Standards Regulations, 2021 (S.R.O. 1172(I)/2021). The amendments revise Regulation 5 to specify fee structures in USD and PKR, replace Regulation 12(3)(a) with updated technical conditions for SIM/IMEI-based mobile devices including GSMA TAC requirements and DIRBS-FBR WEBOC integration, and substitute Annex-B with a comprehensive revised fee schedule for terminal equipment categories. These regulations are issued under section 29(2) and section 5(2)(o) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996, and came into force on the date of gazette publication.

Plain-language explanation

These 2022 amendments update Pakistan's rules for approving telecom equipment like mobile phones, satellite terminals, IoT devices, and radio equipment before they can be imported or sold. Equipment is categorized into 8 groups with different fee levels—the most common category (SIM/IMEI mobile devices including phones and tablets) costs PKR 5000 locally or USD 100 for imports. All IMEI-based devices must use genuine GSMA-issued Type Allocation Codes; devices with fake, cloned, or stolen IMEIs will be blocked. Importers apply online through PTA's DIRBS system, which shares data with FBR's WEBOC customs platform to whitelist approved devices. The fee schedule is in Annex-B, and PTA can revise the equipment list at any time. Short-range devices like Bluetooth gadgets and IoT sensors have lower fees at PKR 2500 or USD 50.

Compliance & opportunity checklist

Verify that all mobile device IMEIs use only GSMA-issued TAC codes registered with PTA before submitting type approval applications
Submit all type approval applications through the PTA online portal at dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs, not through manual or paper submissions
Budget PKR 5000 or USD 100 per application for processing fees for most equipment categories; confirm your specific category's fee in Annex-B
Ensure no imported device contains duplicated, cloned, stolen, or counterfeit IMEI numbers to avoid CoC rejection
Register as an applicant willing to import only functional equipment and provide after-sales service as required by Reg. 12(3)(a) undertaking
For Short Range Devices (SRD) or IoT equipment, apply the reduced fee schedule of PKR 2500/USD 50 per application as specified in Serial No. 5 and its Note

Key numbers

Type Approval Certificate Fee - Mobile/Satellite/Radio

5000 PKR (local) / USD 100 (imported)

· Annex-B, Serial Nos. 1-4, 6-8

Type Approval Certificate Fee - SRD/IoT

2500 PKR (local) / USD 50 (imported)

· Annex-B, Serial No. 5

Processing Fee - Standard Equipment

5000 PKR (local) / USD 100 (foreign)

per application · Annex-B Note 1; Reg. 5 amendment

Processing Fee - SRD/IoT

2500 PKR (local) / USD 50 (foreign)

per application · Annex-B Note 2; Reg. 5 amendment

Commencement Date

August 16, 2022

· Reg. 1(2)

PABX Additional Lines Fee

1000 PKR per each additional 100 lines

· Annex-B, Serial No. 7

TAC Requirement

GSMA issued TAC code source mandatory

· Reg. 12(3)(a)

Equipment Categories Requiring Type Approval

8 main categories

· Annex-B

Frequently asked

By Rahnuma · AI-generated

What are the processing fees for type approval applications?

For most terminal equipment categories, locally manufactured devices incur a non-refundable processing fee of PKR 5000 per application, while imported equipment costs USD 100 per application. For Short Range Devices and IoT equipment (Serial No. 5), fees are reduced to PKR 2500 for local manufacturing and USD 50 for foreign manufacturing. These fees apply to new applications, amendments, and duplicate certificates (Reg. 5 amendment; Annex-B Notes).

What IMEI requirements must mobile device importers meet under the 2022 amendments?

Imported mobile devices must contain only GSMA-issued Type Allocation Codes (TAC) reflected in the PTA-issued type approval certificate or PTA website. Devices with duplicated, cloned, stolen, or counterfeit IMEIs will not receive a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). No TAC addition is required for already type-approved models; new GSMA TACs are added automatically to the PTA website (Reg. 12(3)(a) amendment).

How does the application process work for IMEI whitelisting?

Applicants must apply through the PTA online portal at dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs, uploading all required documents. The IMEI is then evaluated technically by PTA's DIRBS system and transmitted to FBR WEBOC for customs codal formalities. Upon FBR WEBOC approval, the IMEI is whitelisted (Reg. 12(3)(a) amendment).

What fee applies to SIM/IMEI/Wi-Fi based mobile devices?

For mobile handsets, Wi-Fi tablets, dongles, and wingles, the Type Approval Certificate fee is PKR 5000 for locally manufactured devices or USD 100 for imported devices. An additional non-refundable processing fee of PKR 5000 (local) or USD 100 (foreign) per application applies for all applications including amendments and duplicates (Annex-B, Serial No. 8 and Notes).

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