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The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has revised its baggage regulations for the 2025-26 fiscal year, granting overseas workers holding valid BMET cards the right to import two brand-new mobile phones duty- and tax-free each year—provided they have remained abroad for at least six months. Other returning travellers may bring in one new phone per year without incurring customs duties or taxes.

Key changes, effective 30 days after gazetting on June 3, include:

• Expatriates with BMET cards: up to two new phones duty-free annually, plus two used phones.
• All other passengers: one new phone and two used phones per year duty-free; additional new units become dutiable.

Previously under FY2024-25 rules, returning expatriates could import two used phones and one new phone subject to duty. The update maintains the two used-phone exemption but now waives duty on one new phone for all expatriates, with BMET cardholders enjoying an extra duty-free unit.

Precious-metal allowances were also liberalised:

• Any traveller may bring in up to 100g of gold jewellery or 200g of silver jewellery once per year duty-free, whether worn or packed—limited to 12 items of any single type, upon declaration.
• Gold-bar imports are now restricted to a single consignment of up to 117g per person per year, replacing the prior multiple-entry allowance (with duty).

The expanded concessions for BMET cardholders aim to reward long-term overseas service and streamline the return-travel experience, while tighter rules on gold bars seek to curb unregulated bullion inflows.