The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has once again slashed duties on imported fresh fruits to help stabilise domestic prices during Ramadan and beyond.

In two separate notifications issued yesterday, the tax authority announced a 5 percent reduction in the supplementary duty (SD) on fresh fruits, including oranges, apples, grapes, and pears.

Importers will now be required to pay a 25 percent duty on fresh fruit imports, down from the previous 30 percent.

Additionally, the NBR has fully exempted the 5 percent advance tax (AT) on fresh fruit imports.

Earlier, on March 10, the NBR halved the advance income tax (AIT) on fruit imports to 5 percent in an effort to reduce costs and lower prices during Ramadan, when consumption increases.

"This decision aims to make imported fruits more affordable for consumers," said a senior NBR official, requesting anonymity.