Last week, smartphones imported into the country by parallel imports began to appear on sale in Russia. You can read about what it is and how it works in a separate article. The first devices that became available for purchase were the Kazakh Galaxy A53, which appeared on the shelves of the DNS trading network. But shortly after it, M. Video announced that she had brought a wide range of goods from abroad about the trade in equipment imported to Russia in parallel. Of course, except for the iPhone. I wonder why?
According to Izvestiya, M.Video is currently only testing the parallel import model. Therefore, at the moment, goods imported into Russia without the permission of the copyright holder, not as much as it could be. However, the distribution network plans to expand the range. M.Video wants to focus on new products that have not been officially delivered to the country since the end of February. But buy iPhone abroad in the trading network are afraid.
Parallel import – M.Video
M.Video does not buy iPhone abroad, because he is afraid that foreign models in Russia simply will not work. Ask how? Literally. For example, Apple may ban smartphone activationsold, say, in the UAE – namely, the Emirates can become the main source of supply – on the territory of Russia. Now there are no such restrictions. However, it cannot be ruled out that the manufacturing company will not introduce them in order to limit parallel imports.
The origins of this fear are, in principle, understandable. The fact is that not a single country has ever taken iPhones without Apple permission on a large scale. Yes, gray trade has always existed, including in Russia. But its volumes were so insignificant that Cupertino did not see any point in preventing it in any way. Especially since the conflict of interest of Apple, Seros and buyers Gray iPhones did not have. But now it’s a completely different matter.
Refusing to supply equipment to Russia, Apple in fact, directly forbade everyone else to do this. This is a kind of sanction that the company voluntarily imposed on Russian users. Whether they are guilty of something or not is not so important. The main thing is to support the cancellation culture, and no one knows how far the company will go in this support. After all, Apple Pay and payments in the App Store have actually been turned off for us. So why do we rule out that the iPhone will also be turned off?
Retailers think about it and don’t carry iPhones to Russia in large quantities, because they cannot be sure that they will be sold. And even if they sell, then when the iPhone turns off or does not activate, buyers will carry them back. As a result, retail chains will suffer greatly financially. Because no one will compensate them for the costs of disconnected smartphones. They will not even be returned under warranty – after all, they are not intended for the Russian market, which means they are not required to work here at all.
What will happen to iPhones in Russia
Whether this will always be the case is an open question. Now some retailers are consulting with their Iranian counterparts, trying to find the optimal scheme that would be as risk-free as possible. Iran has a similar situation – there Apple devices are not officially shipped either, – but the company itself does not pose any obstacles to local sellers, allowing them to carry gadgets from abroad. True, sales volumes in Russia and Iran are incomparable.
Regardless of how the consultations with Iran end, in Russia it will be possible – and you can already now – to buy almost any equipment. And not at the highest prices. Take the same iPhone SE 2022. Now its minimum price on Yandex.Market is around 35 thousand rubles. And, if you use the cashback from Tinkoff Bank, then the result will be something around thirty. Sane money, and without any parallel imports.
Such a profitable iPhone SE 3 price obtained through the tax-free program. It is valid in many countries of Europe and not only, allowing for the export of goods return value added taxwhich you paid at the time of purchase. Depending on the country, its size ranges from 10 to 20%. Serum trucks take advantage of this by returning the tax, and sell the goods imported in this way here, but already adding their margin on top. With parallel importunfortunately, that won’t work.
Why – I think it’s clear and so. The fact is that with parallel imports, the retailer must pay for certification, cover the costs of more complicated logistics chains, and include warranty service in the retail price. After all, Apple has to repair its iPhones in Russia no longer. So, retailers will have to do it. Serovoz, unfortunately or fortunately, do not bother with this, otherwise their prices would be completely different.
