Apple’s official distributors in India have issued a strong advisory to mobile phone retailers, warning them of strict action if any device sold through their outlets is found to be outside Apple’s authorised sales and activation guidelines. According to the notice, retailers must ensure that every iPhone, iPad, and other Apple device is sourced only through verified distributor channels and not via parallel imports, grey market suppliers, or discounted bulk purchases from unofficial sources.
The distributors have emphasized that if any device traced back to a particular store violates activation, warranty, or sourcing norms, the retailer may face penalties, including withdrawal of supply, delisting from Apple’s sales network, and suspension from promotional schemes. The warning comes at a time when grey-market Apple products, especially iPhones, are witnessing a rise in India due to fluctuating global prices and heavy festival-season demand.
Industry experts say Apple aims to maintain price uniformity, product authenticity, and customer trust in the Indian market, especially following the rapid expansion of its official retail footprint. Retailers have been advised to maintain transparent invoices, update activation records promptly, and avoid deep discount schemes that violate Apple’s pricing policies. The distributors have clarified that the warning is part of Apple’s ongoing effort to curb unauthorized sales and protect consumers from counterfeit or non-warranty devices.
