Apple may soon sell refurbished iPhones in India

Apple may have filed an application with the Government of India for the import and sale of refurbished iPhones in the country. In addition, it may also be planning to set up a facility in the country that will renovate used mobiles shipped from China. According to a report by the Indian Express, the company has stated in its application, “Apple would like to seek the government’s approval to import and sell its certified pre-owned iPhones in India; manufacture and sell its certified pre-owned iPhones in India.” 

As per the Indian Express’ report, Apple had earlier requested the government to import one lakh used iPhones and 2.5 lakh iPads, to explore the refurbished electrical and electronic equipment market. However, their request was turned down by the Environment Ministry's Technical Review Committee (TRC) who said that it would add to India’s e-waste. It also said that refurbished electrical and electronic equipment had a shorter functional life and became obsolete faster, which would increase e-waste. However, it reasoned that it may allow imports that were less than three years old and could be used for at least five more years. 

There is also a fear that relaxation of rules regarding import of refurbished or remanufactured products may amount to transfer of waste from developed to developing countries. But Apple has reportedly claimed in its application that  its certified pre-owned (CPO) iPhones were not “standard refurbished mobile phones” as they are made by the device’s original manufacturers. It claims that the phones go through the same standards of quality testing as new devices. Not only that, but they also carry a one-year warranty along with a new serial and IMEI number. 

Apple did not elaborate on its business plan or targets, but said that the quantity of devices that would be imported would vary in hundreds of thousands of units on a yearly basis. Regarding the manufacturing of CPO devices, it has stated that the “initial scope would be in low hundreds of thousands units on a yearly basis.”

Apple may have also filed an application with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion to open its Apple Stores in India. The move comes after the government’s liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment rules on single-brand retail in November. Earlier rules required companies to have a certain percentage of manufacturing in India in order to operate retail outlets.

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Shrey Pacheco

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