Apple applies for permissions to sell pre-owned refurbished iPhones

Apple has sought permission from the government of India to import pre-owned iPhones for sale in the country, Parliament was informed today.

An Apple iPhone is pictured next to the logo of Apple in Bordeaux, southwestern France, February 26, 2016. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau (Reuters)

Apple has sought permission from the government of India to import pre-owned iPhones for sale in the country, Parliament was informed today.

"An application from Apple regarding import of certified pre-owned iPhones for sale in India and manufacturing certified pre-owned iPhones for sale in India has been received in the Ministry of Environment and Forests," Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

Prasad was replying to a question on whether any company has sought permission for refurbishing and selling used mobile phones in the country.

The minister further said the government has not taken any decision on the matter.

Apple is putting more energy in India to cash-in on the booming smartphone market in the country.

The California-based company, which saw total iPhone sales grow by 76 per cent in the country, had earlier said it will continue to invest in markets like India in the long-term.

Recently, Apple has also sent an application for approval to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) for setting up retail outlets in India.

India is one of the fastest growing handset markets globally and is poised to overtake the US soon.