The Chinese government has reportedly indicated that final regulatory approval for Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is on the way. Final approval will likely put a kink into the massive smuggling efforts to bring the new handset into China for massively marked-up sales to eager buyers.
Appearing on CNBC Tuesday morning, reporter Eunice Yoon said that just hours ago, the Chinese government said the review of the license for the iPhone 6 would be “completed soon.” That, she said, has helped to temporarily drive down prices for Apple’s new handset on the black market, with locals believing that sales through official channels could begin.
The iPhone 6 is reported to be going for about $1,900 USD, while the iPhone 6 Plus is said to be commanding around $3,250 on the Chinese black market. The most popular colors, gold and space grey, are bringing a $500 premium.
With Chinese customs reportedly cracking down on illegal imports of the new handsets, smugglers are reportedly getting “creative” in their attempts to get the iPhones past the wary customs agents.
Smugglers are reportedly smuggling the iPhones in boxes of the Chinese equivalent of Twinkies, as well as placing them in coffee tins and toothpaste boxes.
