PTA & IMEI
PTA & IMEI explained
What PTA status means, how to check IMEI on 8484, and buying non-PTA phones.
Every phone has a unique 15-digit IMEI. In Pakistan, the PTA registers devices — an unregistered (non-PTA) phone can stop working on local SIM networks until its tax is paid.
Check any IMEI
- 1
Find the IMEI
Dial *#06# on the phone. - 2
SMS 8484
Send the IMEI to 8484 to get its PTA status, or use our IMEI checker.
What the statuses mean
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PTA Approved | Tax paid / registered — works on any local SIM. |
| Non-PTA | Not tax-paid yet — works on Wi-Fi and local SIM only until PTA tax is paid. |
| Carrier-locked | Locked to one network. |
| CPID / Blocked | Blocked or counterfeit IMEI — cannot be listed on NoSiappa. |
Buying a non-PTA phone
Non-PTA phones are cheaper and legal to buy, but you may need to pay PTA tax to keep using a local SIM, and PTA can block them. Buy only if you understand this — the price reflects it. Always re-check the IMEI on 8484 when it arrives.
NoSiappa can't guarantee future PTA status
The seller warrants the PTA status at listing. We can't guarantee a device won't be blocked by PTA/DIRBS later.
Frequently asked
- Is a non-PTA phone illegal?
- No, buying one is legal. But to use a local SIM beyond the grace period you may need to pay PTA tax, and PTA can block unregistered devices.
- Do you verify IMEI?
- Yes. Sellers submit an 8484 proof and we log IMEI checks; we also re-check before payout.
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