The head of the Mobile Importers Association believes that despite the 96% import tariff on iPhone imports, we can hope to break this rate. Abdul Mahdi AsadiIn an interview with Zomit, he talks about the failure of the iPhone registration ban project, the consequences of this decision and the future of the mobile market after the government’s new decision to remove the ban on the registration of this brand’s phones.
- Mr. Esadi, what do you think about the share of iPhones in the Iranian market? Removing the registry ban What effect will it have on the market? What sectors were affected by these restrictions in the last two years?
iPhone’s 10% share involves 40% of Iran’s mobile industry. This means that 10% of people use this brand’s phones, and this amount involves 40% of the industry. Now with the new changes, I hope this market will prosper. During this time, many of our businesses, from mobile phone accessories to sellers and importers of this brand, as well as the post-import layers, such as professional repairmen, lost their market boom. I am happy with this decision; In these difficult days and the economic conditions and the state of the dollar, this news was somewhat hopeful for the mobile phone industry, and for the people that removing restrictions on the iPhone was one of their social demands. This ban was a big question for many people who neither had the power to buy this brand, nor the intention to buy it.
- According to the latest news, the commercial profit rate of iPhone imports is 96%. Having said that, do you still think that the predictions about the market boom are correct?
If this number is true, it is very scary. The commercial profit of 96% with the set of other duties that must be paid for import, in total reaches about 110-111%. This means that the buyer must pay for his own iPhone and buy an iPhone for the government. We have already succeeded in reducing this figure for the iPhone 13, which was imposed a 96% import tariff in the previous government. This rate of 96% was applied in our company for 20 days and we cleared the phones with this amount of profit, but finally we found solutions and broke this rate. Therefore, we can be hopeful about the current situation.
- To what extent was the iPhone registry ban able to achieve its initial goals?
This ban was an unprofessional decision from the beginning and could not be successful. We in the Mobile Forum researched the iPhone for 9 months until the government finally heard the voice of the private sector. By lifting the ban, both national interests and trade interests are secured.
- What was the result of your research?
Despite the iPhone ban, we saw many consequences. Among other things, this product was imported unofficially, and while smuggling was cultivated in the country, the currency was withdrawn unofficially with disposable accounts. In fact, people used to receive goods from unofficial channels. The most important issue was that the government could have a large import of 10 to 12 hemats from the official import route of this commodity, which it lost. The product above 600 dollars, which includes the iPhone, has a currency basket, that is, it has a per capita consumption that is between one and one and a half billion dollars per year. Of course, currently, despite the history that has been created for companies, the exchange rate is controlled. Therefore, foreign exchange sources are definitely controlled in the import of mobile phones.
- What can be predicted about the registry tariff?
It is impossible to predict until we talk to loved ones in the government. It can only be said that the currency of the iPhone is also supplied from the source of the export currency, and nothing is clear about its figure yet; It depends on how much currency they give, supply and demand and market conditions are also effective.
- So, how do you think the reception will be from the people’s side?
Currently the market conditions are about Phones under $600 are normal and even though the dollar has gone up, the price of the phone is reasonable. With these conditions, I don’t think that the market will find emotional conditions. The only difference is that people have a choice.
