Importing used iPhones into Indonesia: what to prepare
This is a buyer's checklist, not legal advice. Rules change, and clearance is always handled by your own forwarder or customs broker. What follows is the practical sequence experienced importers follow when buying used iPhones from Hong Kong.
1. Confirm the registration status before you pay
- Ask your broker whether the units need IMEI registration for local network use
- Confirm the HS code your broker will declare — used phones and new phones are not the same line
- Get the duty and tax estimate in writing before the shipment leaves Hong Kong
2. Documents your supplier must provide
| Document | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Model, capacity, grade, quantity, unit price, FOB terms |
| Packing list | Carton count, gross and net weight, IMEI range if requested |
| Air waybill / bill of lading | Issued by the forwarder, not the supplier |
| Certificate of origin | Only if your broker asks for it |
If a supplier cannot issue a proper commercial invoice in the company name, treat that as a red flag — it usually means the goods are not coming from where they claim.
3. What to verify on the goods themselves
Grade claims are the most common source of dispute. Before payment, ask for: a straight-on photo of each grade sample, a screen photo at full brightness on a white background, and the battery health reading on screen. These three pictures settle 90% of arguments that happen after arrival.
4. Timing
We dispatch within 24 hours and hand you the tracking number. After that, air transit and clearance are controlled by the carrier and your broker — typically a few days, but never guaranteed. Plan your stock around clearance, not around the flight.
5. A note on volume
Most disputes come from small first orders where freight and clearance cost more per unit than the phone margin. Consolidate: 50 pieces per model and grade is the point where the economics start working.
Ask for this week\x27s price listGOODWELL TRADING HONG KONG LIMITED · FOB Hong Kong · MOQ 50 pcs