Bigger India
Apple’s challenge in India made tougher by second import tax hike in two months
In a move which hit Apple harder than other smartphone brands, India increased the import tax on smartphones from 10% to 15% in December.
Import tax hikes hit Apple particularly hard as it currently imports all models other than the iPhone SE. Rival manufacturers, in contrast, locally assemble almost all the phones they sell in the country.
Apple has already increased its prices in the country in response to the previous tax increase, and may now be faced with the prospect of a second price rise at a time it is trying to grow its market share.