Mobile phones worth over Rs. 16 billion have been imported into the country during the first six months of the current fiscal year 2024/25.
According to data from the Department of Customs, 1,111,556 smartphones valued at approximately Rs. 16.71 billion were imported by mid-January. The government collected Rs. 3.11 billion in revenue from these imports during the same period.
The import of smartphones has risen by 11% compared to the same period last fiscal year (2023/24), during which 1,015,286 smartphones worth Rs. 15.05 billion were imported, generating Rs. 2.81 billion in revenue.
In the entirety of fiscal year 2023/24, the country imported 1,839,035 smartphones worth Rs. 28.66 billion, contributing Rs. 5.33 billion in government revenue.
Key Sources of Smartphone Imports
During the review period, smartphones were imported from 50 countries. The largest share of imports came from China, followed by India.
- China: 859,425 smartphones worth Rs. 11.59 billion were imported, contributing Rs. 2.16 billion in revenue.
- India: 248,171 smartphones worth Rs. 4.82 billion were imported, generating Rs. 899 million in revenue.
- Other Countries:
- Viet Nam: 1,026 smartphones worth Rs. 1.1 million.
- United States: 667 smartphones worth Rs. 79.26 million.
- Japan: 605 smartphones worth Rs. 47.49 million.
- South Korea: 262 smartphones worth Rs. 19.63 million.
- Qatar: 145 smartphones worth Rs. 17.71 million.
- United Kingdom: 104 smartphones worth Rs. 11 million.
- Hong Kong: 97 smartphones worth Rs. 8.2 million.
- Kuwait: 95 smartphones worth Rs. 1.52 million.
Rising Demand
The increased import figures reflect growing demand for smartphones in the country. This trend underscores the importance of the smartphone market as a significant contributor to the national economy, both in terms of consumer demand and government revenue.
