How To: Buy iPhone 4 in India
Jul 03
Technology India, iphone, mobile 8 Comments
Some of my friends asked me they wanted to buy an iPhone 4, how to buy an iPhone 4 in India? This howto should answer that, and the same method can also be used to buy an product from US.
The best way to get an iPhone 4 would be to ask a friend in US (who is visiting India) to buy it and bring it when he visits India.
Second best way would be to ask him/her to buy it and ship to India.
A contract-free iPhone 4 is $599 + $50 (sales tax) + $50 (USPS shipping) + import duty
Import duty can be from 4% to an unknown percentage. They customs officer may impose the duty based on his own outrageous valuation instead of the declared value. Last time I imported a product worth $700, but the officer imposed the duty based on a valuation of Rs. 62,000 ($1400). He did not consider the invoice of the product while valuation. Moreover, the actual cost of the product in India is Rs. 49,900 ($1100).
Import duty can be waived if the sender declare its value as $200 and send it as a gift. There is no import duty for gifts upto Rs. 10,000. I am not encouraging to falsify any documents. If your friend bought the iPhone for subsidized price of $199, then it should be alright to declare this value. Remember, the customs officer may value the product at any outrageous amount.
$50 shipping is USPS, which may not be very reliable because their Indian partner is Indian postal service. It is recommended to ship it with DHL or Fedex which costs around $90. The shipping is insured based on the declared value. In case of loss or damage, you would only be able to claim the declared value i.e. $200 or $600.
Shipping usually takes 4 to 6 days, but Indian customs may detain the package for 2 to 4 weeks.
Also, there is a shortage of iPhone 4 stock, it is not currently available in US. We would have to wait 2 to 4 weeks to be able to buy one.
Buy iPhone 4 with eBay Global Easy Buy
You can also buy an iPhone 4 from eBay Global Easy Buy. You can buy products listed as ‘Buy It Now’ on eBay.com using Global Easy Buy. The prices listed at Global Easy Buy are higher than the prices on eBay.com. But, it includes import duties and shipping charges. It will also save you from the hassle of dealing with Indian customs office.
Jul 18, 2010 @ 23:55:23
Hello Guys,
It doesnt matter what OS do you have or you will have, i have an UNIVERSAL UNLOCK for all Iphones till date OS 4.0.1 and also , i can unlock any future releases of Iphone also.
Dont ask me how, but yes – i did this on the day one of 3.0, 3.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3 , 4.0. 4.0.1 .
Unfortunately i am in US now, can only help you guys in US (BAY AREA – California)- but will be india soon, and will do the needful when i am there. …
I CHARGE, A SMILE
– ITS FOR FREE
Thanks
Karan
Aug 03, 2010 @ 08:34:51
will there be any custom problem if I get an iphone4 through baggage of my friend returning from USA?
Aug 03, 2010 @ 13:01:39
Usually, the customs at airport won’t bother him for a phone.
But, I will suggest him not to bring it in a sealed box. Take the iPhone out of the box and carry in pocket rather than in baggage.
If they put the bag under a scanner and find a sealed iPhone box, they may charge duty. If you need the box, he can carry the empty box and accessories in the bag.
Aug 04, 2010 @ 12:30:31
Thanks for the information.
Will there be any problem if he gets two mobiles in his pocket? And also can the box be Gift wrapped with iPhone inside it in the baggage?
Aug 04, 2010 @ 17:29:38
He will be alright with 2 phones in his pocket. I will not suggest to carry it in the bag, because usually they scan the baggage and find out if you are carrying any electronics. If you carry phone with yourself, they will assume its a used phone for your personal use.
They allow products and gifts upto Rs. 25,000 duty free, duty will be charged if the total amount exceeds Rs. 25,000. In addition, you are also allowed to carry a laptop (duty free). If he is not bringing any more dutiable products, it will be fine to carry it in the bag.
Aug 05, 2010 @ 05:20:41
Thanks a lot for that. Then I would better suggest him to get it gift wrapped because an iPhone 4 with a contract would not cost more than $250. Which means around some. Rs. 10000. Which can be later get it unlocked here.
Aug 08, 2010 @ 03:57:33
Thanx a lot Ravish for above info …..
I am in huge dilemma of getting iphone 4 in India ….. whether to ask someone to bring from Thailand as gift pack from its grey market or ask a friend from U.S. to ship it to India.
4 Queriess:
1) what would be the way which would get me CHEAPER iphone4 ??
a) Purchase cheap iphone 4 from Thailand’s grey market and get it to India as my friend has gone for trip to Thailand …. Can ask him to get one unlocked fone for me at very cheaper price as a gift…..Dont kno prices of it in Thailand tho and also from which place to buy ??
b) Ask a friend from US to buy the fone and ship it to me ….(provided he’ll buy fone on contract base with Insurance and then claim that fone has been lost or stolen and switch off the “so-called-lost fone” and send it to India. Can i use it in India after Unlockin n jailbreaking ????
if it gets damaged i can always get repaired from some techies rather than goin to Apple stores …. )
Its not that urgent to get fone …but dont ppl always say “Sooner the better …” and also before my friend leaves from Thailand to India … have to inform him …or else would have to buy from US only ….
2) How much Unlocking costs in India ?? How to make Microsims in India if i am in Mysore/ Bangalore, Karnataka ??
3) Would the option like ask someone to get two phones from there …. Keep one fone for men and Sell other fone at a price which will cover the price for my phone atleast ….. would that be also a smart option ?? Ask two phones … or better invest money for one personal phone … leave the rest of shit …..
4) Any other options/ways, u know to get cheaper iphone4 in India ??
The only thing i kno is I want “Apple IPHONE4″ in my hands that too at cheaper rate …. Hope u would comment and guide me on dat …. Waiting for ur respone and valuable guidance ……
Aug 09, 2010 @ 04:28:54
@KK
You can unlock iPhone yourself using ultrasn0w – http://blog.iphone-dev.org
If I were you, I would buy it from US for a full price of $600 (without contract) or buy unlocked from Canada for $650. Getting two iPhones and selling one of them is a good idea, it will help you to cover up your cost of shipping and customs duty.