With the announcement of the revaluation rate, it was revealed that the IMEI registration fees for 2023 will increase to 6,091 TL. So, how does the new amount affect the phone purchase frenzy from abroad? In this content, we discuss how much it will cost to buy a phone next year by going abroad in 2023 or by asking a relative from abroad.
Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) announced October 2022 inflation data figures for the year 2023. revaluation rate has also been determined. Accordingly, the 2023 revaluation rate was recorded as 122.93 percent. In other words, citizens will be able to pay taxes, fees and traffic fines next year if the President does not make any changes. with an increase of 122.93 percent they will pay.
One of the official payments affected by the revaluation rate is IMEI registration fee. As is known, in order for a phone purchased abroad to be actively used in Turkey, a certain payment must be made and the phone’s IMEI number must be recorded in the database in Turkey. This payment amount was 2,732 TL for the year 2022. If President Erdogan doesn’t make a move and the revaluation rate stays constant, for a phone purchased from abroad in 2023. 6,091 TL IMEI registration fee will need to be paid.
So, will it still make sense to bring phones from abroad in 2023?
There is a very common practice in Turkey. Citizens with the opportunity to go abroad going by himself or by receiving a phone call from different countries through an acquaintance abroad, registering IMEI in Turkey and using it. In particular, the fact that the prices in Europe and the USA are both suitable for exchange rates and the taxes are low compared to those in our country have provided significant advantages for the citizens until today. Well, this situation will continue in 2023. will it be valid?
How much does it cost to ‘bring’ a phone from abroad in 2022?
| Cost | |
| Telephone | 1.000 euro* (18.147 TL) |
| IMEI Registration | 150 (2,732 TL) |
| TOTAL | 1,150 euro (20,879) |
How much does it cost to ‘bring’ a phone from abroad in 2023?
| Cost | |
| Telephone | 1.000 euro (18.147 TL) |
| IMEI Registration | 335 euros (6,091 TL**) |
| TOTAL | 1.674 euros (24,238 TL) |
*1.000 euro is taken as a sample price.
**IMEI registration fee updated for 2023 based on revaluation rate.
As you can see in the above comparison, when you receive a phone call from a relative from abroad, you will not have any additional payments other than the IMEI increase. Therefore, no matter which phone you buy, if a relative from abroad will bring it, you will receive it next year. It will cost an additional 3,359 TL. But what if you don’t have a relative to pick up the phone you want and bring it to you, and you go abroad to pick up the phone yourself? Let’s explain this through a real example.
We went to Italy and bought the iPhone 14 Pro and came back… How much will it cost if we make it next year?
You will have those who remember; Melihcan Örus from the Webtekno YouTube team has embarked on a long journey for our valued followers, went to italy and he bought the iPhone 14 Pro and returned home. Melihcan, who had a short vacation in this process, spent 2.472 euros (including the iPhone 14 Pro itself).about 45.220 TL) was recorded. Let’s revisit this trip as if we were in 2023. Assuming the calendars are 2023, let’s go to Italy and get ourselves an iPhone 14 Pro. What will our cost be?
The amount that comes out of Melih’s pocket when he went to Italy for the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022:
| Expense | Amount (Euros) | Amount (TL) |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 1,339 euros | 24,305 TL |
| Trip | 983 euros | 17,848 TL |
| IMEI Registration | 150 euros | 2,732 TL |
| TOTAL | 2,472 euros | 45,220 TL |
The probable amount that will come out of Melih’s pocket after returning to Italy for the iPhone 14 Pro in 2023:
| Expense | Amount (Euros) | Amount (TL) |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 1,339 euros | 24,305 TL |
| Trip | 1,100 euro* | 19,972 TL |
| IMEI Registration | 335 euro** | 6,091 TL |
| TOTAL | 2,774 euros | 50,362 TL |
*Travel costs are updated for 2023 based on Europe’s average inflation rate.
**IMEI registration fee updated for 2023 based on revaluation rate.
In the scenario where the exchange rate remains at the current level and Apple does not raise iPhone Turkey prices, it does not seem like a profitable purchase to buy iPhone 14 Pro from Italy and come to Turkey next year. Because the instant Turkey price of the iPhone 14 Pro 39,999 TL listed as.
Under current conditions, going to Italy in 2023 and buying an iPhone 14 Pro is better than buying in Turkey. It will cost 10,000 TL more looks like. It is difficult to comment on which option is more logical, because the difference of 10 thousand TL can also be seen as the cost of a weekend trip in Italy.
Note: The IMEI registration fee for 2023 has not yet been formalized, and the President has the authority to reduce or increase the revaluation rate by 50 percent before it becomes official.
Note: While preparing the content, the euro rate on Thursday, November 2, 2022 at 16.20 was taken as a basis.
Do you think it makes sense to buy a phone from abroad with the 2023 IMEI registration fee?