Apple’s Request to Sell Refurbished Phones in India Rejected

The Commerce Ministry now says it is not against waiving the 30 percent local sourcing norm for Apple.

Apple CEO Tim Cook at the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai. (Photo: AP)

• After insisting that Apple abide by the 30 percent local sourcing norms if it wants to open single-brand stories in India, the government has now rejected Apple’s proposal to sell refurbished iPhones in India.
  
  
• Nirmala Sitharaman said the Commerce Ministry is not in favour of Apple’s proposal to import refurbished phones and sell them in India.
  
  
• The minister also said that the Commerce Ministry was not against waiving the 30 percent local sourcing norm for Apple, but was met with opposition from the Finance Ministry. She said her ministry will again push the case of the iPhone maker and a consensus decision should be reached soon.
  
  
• The US-based giant has sought exemption on the ground that it makes state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technology products for which local sourcing is not possible.
  

(With inputs from PTI)

Also Read: Government Refuses to Ease Sourcing Norm for Apple in India