BMET cardholders allowed to import two duty-free phones each year

The interim government has granted duty-free privileges to overseas workers holding valid Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) cards, allowing them to bring in up to two new phones per year without paying any duties or taxes, as long as they have been abroad for at least six months.

Other regular travellers, however, will be allowed to bring in just one new phone per year without paying any duty or taxes.

The revised rules were outlined in a notification issued on Wednesday by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), as part of the updated baggage rules for incoming passengers for the 2025-26.

These new rules come following the proposed budget for FY2026, presented on Jun 2. The first version of the rules was officially gazetted on Jun 3 and is set to take effect in 30 days.

Previously, under the 2024-25 fiscal year rules, a returning expatriate could bring in two used phones and one new phone, but the device would be subject to customs duty.

Under the newly updated provisions, an expatriate can still bring in two used phones, but now may also bring one new phone each year without paying any customs duties.

Those holding BMET cards are now entitled to bring in two new phones annually, completely duty free.

Additionally, the new baggage rules allow any traveller to bring up to 100g gold jewellery or 200g silver jewellery duty free once per year, regardless of whether the jewellery is worn or packed.

A declaration must, however, be made to avail this benefit, and must not exceed 12 items of any single type of jewellery.

To discourage personal gold imports, the government has also imposed new restrictions on gold bars. Now only one import is allowed per year, capped at 117g per person.

This marks a change from the previous year, when passengers could import 117g gold multiple times throughout the year, upon payment of specified duties.