PTA tax on the iPhone 17: what you will actually pay on passport vs CNIC

Apple's September launch puts the iPhone 17 line squarely in the highest DIRBS value bracket (above $500), where the tax is a fixed amount plus sales tax on the phone's value.

The two routes

• Passport (within 60 days of arrival): lower fixed duty. The clock starts on the arrival stamp date.
• CNIC: higher fixed duty, available any time.

For a $999 base model at today's rate, the difference between the two routes is roughly the price of a mid-range Android phone. Run your exact model through the PTA Tax Calculator.

Should you buy local or import?

Locally sold "PTA-approved" units already include the tax in the price. Imported units are cheaper up front but you pay the tax to use them beyond 120 days. Compare the all-in figure, and factor in the warranty, Apple's warranty is regional.

How to register

The full process, IMEI check, DIRBS application, PSID payment, is in our guide: How to register an imported phone with PTA.