To make a long story short, I was in Europe on vacation this summer. I went to a shop in Frankfurt (Germany) to buy an adapter for my MacBook, and I noticed that 2nd hand iPhones 15 pro max (128GB) were selling for a little over £1,090… I was surprised because the same phone with the same capacity and condition, would sell for anywhere between $650-770 on OfferUp or Facebook marketplace depending on the city.
I did some digging and I realized that Apple products sell for $250+ more than the US, and if you convert from euro to US dollar, you can make up to $500 in profit. I guess it's maybe due to higher tariffs/export taxes. But nonetheless, there's a big market in Europe 2nd hand iPhones.
I'm very intrigued by the possibility to make money flipping used iPhones in Europe. I'm wondering if anyone in this subreddit has tried this before, and there are people willing to team up. I'm working on a website to sell used iPhones, and I'm thinking about implementing buy now and pay later option to attract more customers.
I'm eager to hear your thoughts on this.
P.S, I heard that new iPhones sell for $500-1,000 profit in Africa since they don't have official Apple stores, and no crazy import tariffs.
$300-500 profit on used iPhones in Europe
byu/bossman243 inEntrepreneur
Posted by bossman243
19 Comments
There are several reasons why selling used iPhones from Germany to the USA is not common:
1. **Different frequency bands**: iPhones made for the European market may not support all the cellular frequencies used in the USA, potentially leading to limited network coverage.
2. **Warranty limitations**: Apple warranties are often region-specific. An iPhone purchased in Europe might not be eligible for official support or repairs in the USA.
3. **Shipping costs and customs fees**: Shipping from Germany to the USA can be expensive, and additional customs fees might apply, making it less attractive to sell used devices, as profit margins tend to be small.
4. **Different tax systems**: In Germany, electronics are subject to VAT and other taxes, which could increase the resale price when shipped to the USA.
5. **Local market supply**: The demand for used iPhones in the USA is often met by the local market, with a large number of devices already available through both official Apple channels and third-party sellers.
These factors make it harder to sell used iPhones from Germany to the USA at a profit.
When I was younger, I did the same thing but with game consoles. Bought from Canada and sold them to the Phils because boxing day sales allow me to get $200 margins.
Just know your costs – which would be likely be logistics of being able to bring them to Germany. Also, warranties are different too, atleast for the ones I sold, so you may want to just check in on how that works.
Your $250 potential profit will be eaten by European import taxes. At least 17,5% VAT in Germany on top, plus 120 EUR per phone.
Here in Serbia is also good market for used iphones also. Alot of people here are flipping used iphones.
300 difference includes employees + rent + costs. True difference is $100 max and there are already people bringing and selling 2nd hand phones. Bringing mass amounts of these on your bag/suitcase is considered as smuggling and its illegal. Basically, scaled up version of this business is = smuggling.
iPhone Pro Max 16 128gb is currently £1,200 new, direct from Apple.
Don’t think anyone is buying a used old model for £1,090.
What do you think about partnering with someone? I currently live in Czech Republic, yes of course you could do it all by yourself. But if you’re open to having someone with you. 🙂
Your business is based on breaking the law in Europe by smuggling mobile phones? Damn, you will get in trouble for sure 👍🏻
Wouldn’t work for long. If you’re crossing borders with suitcases full of phones, they’ll eventually stop you and demand you pay their import taxes, which would likely kill the profits. These countries have anti-business mindsets which is why the iPhones are more expensive in the first place.
So, you’ve got a smuggling business idea—entrepreneurship at its finest!
I had this idea in the past but this is impossible. Let me tell you: I’ve seen that in US iPhones are around 35% cheaper than in Europe, so I thought I will go there and just buy 100 to test the market here in Europe because this where I’m from. Turns out that I can’t just buy 100 iPhones and travel with them on a plane or cross the border by car because they will not let me. So I don’t know how to do this, but this is a good business idea.
It’s smuggling you could get jailed for years, fined, banned from countries along with other sentences. You might get away with it a few times, but when you’re caught that’s it game over.
Look at me mom!!! I’m a big boy business man!
Be aware that US iphones are without physical SIM. These are less desirable and goes cheaper in Europe.
My guy is committing tax fraud by smuggling phones like a drug mule and calls it a business idea and even posts about it to “Entrepreneurs”
I honestly couldn’t have made up a dumber story if I actively tried to
A friend has this business. The first time he did it he lost 15 brand new iphones to customs. He didn’t declare them.
He has developed a system where he buys 100 at a time and someone transports it for him.
He makes bank because there is no authorized iPhone dealer in the country he sells them at.
There is a big market for brand new iphones and used ones all over the place. It’s a matter of logistics.
The secret ingredient is importing them illegally.
Not worth the time and risk for the money.
In Brazil the difference is much bigger. The catch is that the customs will certainly catch you if you bring 3 or more phones with you. Bug if you bring a mix of different products like MacBook, and other electronics, probably not. The difference here is about 80% more expensive. More than 100% if it’s a used product, like an older iphone.
Fine shitpost sir, many baits taken