The Netherlands and Belgium have been among the first group of countries where Apple is releasing a new iPhone for a number of years. Still, it can be attractive to buy an iPhone abroad. We show you what to look for if you are considering that.
New iPhone from abroad
Buying an iPhone abroad is sometimes cheaper. For example, in countries such as the United States and Germany, you pay less VAT when purchasing a separate iPhone. That can often save a few tens in price, although the savings often do not outweigh the travel costs you pay. However, if you are already abroad, it may be worth it. If you can avoid the import costs, you will save around 150 euros on the purchase of a new iPhone in the US.
In principle, an iPhone from abroad also works in the Benelux, although you have to take a few things into account. Think of things like warranty and simlock. In this article, we answer frequently asked questions and share tips on how to buy a foreign iPhone. If you have more questions or a comment, let us know in the comments below. We are happy to help you.
We have separate tips for buying an iPhone in Germany. In it you can read about the warranty, SIM lock and the business purchase of the device, but also which Apple stores in Germany are easiest to reach for the Dutch.
Foreign iPhone 7 prices
The foreign prices of the iPhone 7 differ considerably from the Dutch. Sometimes it pays to order the iPhone not in the Netherlands, so that in some cases you are cheaper. Good to know if you happen to be in that country, or if you are still cheaper including shipping. For example, the iPhone 7 price in the United Kingdom is a lot cheaper than in the Netherlands thanks to Brexit.
You have these options
There are several ways to buy an iPhone abroad. You can reserve it through the Apple Store, but then you need a delivery address in the relevant country. If you happen to have friends or family living there, you can have the device delivered to their address. They can then forward the iPhone to you, although you have to pay import costs if your package comes from outside the EU (more on that later). You pay the additional costs to the courier.
You can also travel to the country where the iPhone was released earlier. Or maybe you are already there and you can save the travel costs. Just keep in mind that many Apple fans have probably pre-ordered the new iPhone, so there are relatively few iPhones for free sale. If you venture out and get in line, make sure to be on time (the night before) and use the Apple Store app to view inventory by store. This way you avoid being disappointed after a long wait.
On auction sites like eBay, there are countless traders after every iPhone release who offer the new device for a considerably higher price. In this way they try to make a profit from the limited supply. If you have not been able to obtain an iPhone through the usual channels and you really cannot wait, you can try to purchase one through such a dealer. However, always read the ads carefully and only do business with eBay sellers with a lot of positive feedback. This way you avoid being scammed. If you purchase the iPhone through a trader outside the EU, you can count on import costs on the purchase amount.
Checklist for buying a foreign iPhone
If you are considering buying the new iPhone abroad, it is important to keep a number of things in mind. Below we have made a checklist that you can use to weigh up whether it is worth it.
- Import costs: if you order a new iPhone from outside the EU, you have to take import costs into account. From 22 euros you pay VAT on your order and from 150 euros import duties are added. With the Import calculator you can calculate the amount you have to pay for your imported iPhone. If you are abroad (for example the US) and you fly back to the Netherlands with your purchased device, you must submit a tax return. Typically, the value of the iPhone exceeds the exemption of 430 euros per person. You pay 21 percent VAT on top of the purchase amount. The money you save by buying the iPhone abroad is then only a few tens.
- Customs: when you arrive at customs in the Netherlands, there is nothing to worry about when you declare your iPhone and pay the VAT. If you are going to use your device for business, that is necessary anyway. The disadvantage is that you are hardly cheaper. Many people therefore choose to throw away the packaging and purchase receipt of the iPhone to avoid the extra costs. However, if you are checked and you cannot prove that you already had the iPhone with you during the outward journey, you will still have to pay customs costs. You can also count on a hefty fine. To know what you can and cannot enter and what costs are involved, download the Customs Travel app. It requires iOS 6.0+, also works offline and can scan purchase receipts, so that you can prove that you have actually purchased previously purchased products that you are taking with you.
- Guarantee: the warranty on an iPhone from abroad is in almost all cases the same as if you were to purchase the device in the Netherlands: standard 1 year (via Apple), and only for defects that are demonstrably not caused by the user. With a device purchased within the EU, you are legally entitled to a 2-year warranty. Note: you do not have this extended warranty if the iPhone was purchased outside the EU. If something is wrong with the iPhone, you can only knock on the door of a Dutch Apple store when the device has appeared in our country. If that is not the case, then you have to rely on the same store where you bought the iPhone.
- Repairs: Within Europe, Apple basically uses the same model numbers. This means that you can have an iPhone from Germany repaired in a Dutch Apple Store without any problems. Provided the device has already appeared in our country. If your imported iPhone from, for example, the US shows defects, it can also be looked at in a Dutch Apple Store. However, it may be that the repair takes longer, because devices have to be ordered with different model numbers. So keep that in mind; you may have to miss your iPhone for several weeks.
- Simlock: if you buy an iPhone without a subscription in, for example, Germany or Great Britain, it is simlock-free and can be used without problems with a Dutch SIM card. Nevertheless, it is smart to always check this with the relevant seller. If you buy an iPhone in the United States, China or Japan, you may have to deal with a CDMA variant. Most CDMA variants work flawlessly in the Netherlands, although it is wise to check with the seller whether the iPhone supports all Dutch LTE frequencies. Certain models in the US are not available because they have a simlock from American providers such as AT&T or Verizon. You can ask for an unlock code after a while, but always check this with the relevant provider.
- Power plug: The plug system is not the same in all countries. In principle, that is not a problem, since you can also charge the iPhone with a USB cable and plugs are available separately if desired. If you buy the iPhone in Europe, you will receive a plug that also fits into our socket. If you import the iPhone from the US, you will need to purchase a replacement plug at home. If you already own an iPhone or iPad, you can of course also use the adapter of that device to charge your new device.
- Language: Whether you buy the iPhone in Germany, France or Spain, the language can be changed to Dutch. There are dozens of other languages to choose from, including English, Arabic, and Chinese. So you can always use your new iPhone in the language you want.
- Subscription: you do not need a subscription from the original provider if you buy an iPhone abroad. Most iPhones sold abroad, for example in the Apple Store, are SIM-free. As a result, you can simply use your Dutch SIM card, provided it has the correct format. Recent iPhones use nanosim. Finally, check to be sure that you are actually buying a simlock-free iPhone, otherwise you will need an unlock code from the relevant provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
With the checklist above you will come a long way in determining whether it is worthwhile to purchase a foreign iPhone. Below we answer a few more questions that we regularly receive from people who are abroad and who have doubts about the purchase of an iPhone.
- I want to buy an iPhone abroad. What should I do to avoid any fines when entering?
- Free movement of goods applies within the EU. This means that you do not have to file a declaration with customs if you purchase an iPhone in Germany or France and travel back to the Netherlands. If you come from outside the EU with your brand new iPhone, you must declare this to customs. Use the Customs Travel app to see what you can and cannot import and what costs are involved.
- I don’t have a US address, but I would still like to purchase an iPhone in the US. Is that possible?
- Yes! There are various services, such as Parcl and Borderlinx, with which you can get a PO Box in countries such as the US or Great Britain. There you can have the iPhone delivered, after which it will be sent to our country for a fee. Many services also offer a so-called shopping assistant, so you don’t need an American credit card to order the iPhone. Keep in mind that you cannot avoid import costs with these services.
- Is it wise to buy an iPhone abroad?
- No less than if you were to purchase the device through the Dutch Apple Store! Keep in mind that the savings are only a few tens if you declare the iPhone at customs and pay VAT when you return home to the Netherlands. If you don’t, you save that money, but you risk a hefty fine. We advise business buyers to always purchase a new iPhone in the Netherlands.
- Can’t I just throw away the packaging and purchase receipt to avoid customs charges?
- That is possible, although customs are not unfamiliar with these kinds of tricks. If you cannot prove during a check that you purchased the iPhone before your outward journey, you will still have to pay. In addition, you can expect a fine, depending on the value of your ‘contraband’. There is a chance that your iPhone will be confiscated, although a settlement is more common. Logically, you are a lot more expensive than if you had declared the purchase at customs.
- What about warranty exactly?
- That depends on where you purchased the iPhone. Every new iPhone comes with a 1-year Apple warranty, which can be expanded with AppleCare if desired. If you bought the device in the EU, you are entitled to a 2-year legal warranty. This does not apply if the iPhone comes from the US or an Asian country.
- My foreign iPhone is defective, what now?
- In principle, you can take the device to the nearest Apple Store to have it examined. If the iPhone in question has not yet been released in the Netherlands, you can go to the store where you bought it. First check what exactly is covered by the iPhone warranty. Fall or water damage is not covered by the standard warranty, but you can insure yourself for that.
Share your experiences!
iPhoned has imported iPhones, iPads and other Apple products from abroad several times in recent years. Have you ever bought a new iPhone abroad, then we are very curious about your experiences. Share them below or send us a message Facebook or Twitter. We would also like to receive special photos!