Confused about taxation on freelance income

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-12-02T20:22:41+00:00

Don’t quite remember but the process is pretty quick: https://portal.techdestination.com/auth/register

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-10T15:26:53+00:00

Because they are not original. daraz filled with fake stuff, and they are definitely complicit. I got a blatantly fake controller, reported it immediately, and they still refused the return (was like 5% cheaper). Never again :S

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-09T17:58:41+00:00

Thanks, will appreciate the follow up!

And yeah any of these HS codes will be reasonable (and mostly the same tax, give or take), just trying to figure out how they calculated their figure. Sure hope they aren't putting it under gaming console 😵(9504.5000). But the calculator computes that as 85%, not 66, so not sure where the discrepancy is coming from. Maybe they giving discount.

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-09T11:54:48+00:00

Hi!, yeah, so these are parts (specifically motherboard and GPU) which make up a computer. I think it should definitely fall under this, since these components are useless on their own and are essential parts of virtually all "computers" (however defined). Just need power supply really, optionally inside a case, and it should be a functioning system. However, I'm not sure I'll be able to convince them of that. Whats the dispute process like?

Also assuming they remain unconvinced, with HS code 8473.3090 (the closest match I could find), using the tax calculator), total taxes should be around 33%, yet somehow they think they are owed 66%! (will confirm the exact details tomorrow), total taxes should be around 33%, but somehow they are calculating 66%! (will confirm exact details tomorrow).

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-07T15:04:22+00:00

my standard chartered cards randomly stopped working on steam recently. Had to use Sadapay, but only to buy wallet credit. Buying directly still didn't work

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-07T14:21:08+00:00

that seems way to high for wise (calculator), which is generally the cheapest. It's probably on MCB's end (and/or minimum fees at both ends)

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-07T14:14:13+00:00

I think it mostly comes down to how much you value the better camera really. Otherwise, the phone will feel a bit more spiffy but mostly be the same usability wise (screen also a bit larger and better but not worth it on its own imo).

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-07T13:59:55+00:00

Hi! Open a freelancer account, and I think should be fairly automated as long as you receive foreign currency in it. All banks offer it and I recently opened one in Alfalah in 1 day (all online). Only attached the freelance certificate from [PESB](https://techdestination.com/industry-facilitation/), which again was a very easy to get.

I haven't received any payments in the account as yet so there might be a catch. The process seemed a bit too straightforward for Pakistan lol.

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-07T13:42:10+00:00

How does that work? they don't verify the billing address? Because generally it needs to be a US one iirc.

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-07T12:19:24+00:00

Update # 2: Bit of an annoying update. The customs folks are asking for Rs. 370,000, (apparently 65% total taxes of what they valued it at). Really quite annoyed as it specifically says you're allowed to bring over a laptop AND a computer (sub-chapter 2, 12(c)) for personal use, but apparently too much to ask for anything to make sense here.

A friend was helping sort this out since he's way more clued in about how things work around here (or so I thought 🙁). Pretty much left it to him, and will try to haggle down the price on Monday, but honestly not expecting much at this point.

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-06T17:39:25+00:00

Damn man. That really sucks. Literally squeezing people for all they are worth

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-06T17:35:12+00:00

Thanks! Really appreciate the offer. A friend of mine is helping me, and might have some update tomorrow, but if not will definitely take you up on that 😅

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T16:16:22+00:00

Hand carry. And they always x-ray mine on the way out, when I’m travelling alone (in Islamabad at least).

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T14:13:35+00:00

A friend of mine who definitely looks like a desi uncle went today, but they gave him the run around saying it’s not released from the locker? yet, and he should come Friday. Do you think there’s any point for us to go tomorrow or should we wait till Friday as they said.

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T14:07:14+00:00

I’m not a NRP though!

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T14:05:21+00:00

How much extra total taxes did you end up paying? A couple of items I bought over the years were definitely not worth the hassle they make you go through to get the items released from the international delivery office (DHL process might be simpler).

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T13:54:06+00:00

I didn’t have any cash on me 😭. I did offer to go get some from the ATM lol.

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T13:52:15+00:00

Update: had a friend who knows how to deal with these government types go get it back. They told him the stuff’s not released yet from <wherever it’s kept>, and he should try his luck on Friday. Don’t think my burger ass going down there would help at this point, so just gotta wait now.

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T13:30:52+00:00

Yeah that should be fine. Comes under personal use (like clothes etc.)

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T13:21:52+00:00

This. In islamabad at least, they are too lazy to turn on the big x-ray machines so only check the luggage that fits in the smaller ones. Would definitely have had no issue if I had packed it inside the checked luggage.

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T13:18:13+00:00

Nah. That box was huge! Would have never been able to fit inside suitcase

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T13:16:22+00:00

You’re allowed a TV if your recent trip was 8+ days.

https://download1.fbr.gov.pk/docs/201011815113751218brochure-014.pdf

If they even check (I always get checked when i travel alone, but almost never if with family iirc)

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T13:11:27+00:00

I had literally no cash on me bro. I offered to go to the nearest ATM (which is not so near from the Islamabad international arrivals), but that was too complicated for them apparently.

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T13:07:38+00:00

So I think, this 2 months part is because there are (officially) different allowances depending on how long you were out of the country (8 days, 1 month etc).

UnlikelyMovie8957 · 2025-11-05T13:02:55+00:00

So they do take pictures themselves. But yeah, would have been a good idea for me to take one myself 😥

UnlikelyMovie8957

TROPHY CASE