The US has it increasingly shutting down Chinese smartphone makers in recent years with outright bans and punitive tariffs, not to mention Apple’s dominance. But the truth is, some of the best smartphones you can’t legally buy in the US are the best smartphones. If you’re looking for high-quality photography, exciting new products, and high-end hardware that won’t break the bank, you can find it in China.
The problem is that getting your hands on Chinese sales can seem tricky and unexpectedly expensive. It’s possible, but is it worth the risk? Whether you’re eyeing with envy the AI-laden Honor phone, the photography-focused handset from Oppo, or the unbeatable hardware in Xiaomi’s latest flagship, here’s what you need to think about before importing a smartphone from China.
Photo: Simon Hill
Chinese or International Phone Models
Some Chinese smartphones are only released in China, while others are released elsewhere, usually labeled as a global model. Buying only the Chinese version is usually a bad idea for several reasons:
- The software will be in Chinese, and where English is supported, you may find settings and things not translated in the operating system.
- The phone will come pre-loaded with Chinese apps and will default to Chinese apps and services.
- Even if you can install Google services, certain apps and services such as Android Auto, Gemini, third-party banking apps, and other secure apps may not work.
- Some Chinese models will lack the network bands you need to get good mobile service, and you may need to whitelist your device with your service provider.
- Your warranty will be reduced (one year is standard in China), and it will be difficult or perhaps impossible to make a claim.
- Sometimes you need a Chinese number to register a manufacturer account on a Chinese phone, so you miss out on some features.
In contrast, global versions are aimed at international markets, so they will have Google services inside, support for a wide range of languages, and communication bands for many mobile networks. And, as a general note, you should always double-check that you’ve chosen the right color, RAM, and storage configuration you want before ordering.
Supported Bands
Photo: Simon Hill
The technologies and specific bands that mobile networks rely on vary from country to country. While international models may work in the US, they may not support all the bands your carrier uses, as they are usually made for the UK, Europe, or any other market where they are legally sold. It is not safe to assume that the global version will work well for you.
Missing LTE or 5G bands can mean faster service or drop you down to 3G. Chinese and other country-specific models will lack common US bands and may not work at all on some carrier networks. Always check supported bands and reference with your carrier. You can usually find this information listed or compiled on websites like Kimovil, but I recommend checking directly with the manufacturer and your carrier.
Customs Fees
Various factors will affect whether you end up with US customs charges on a smartphone imported from China, including the total price, whether the sender provided the proper paperwork, and whether customs decide to inspect the package. Cell phones were supposed to be exempt from tariffs imposed on Chinese exports to the US, because all major US companies manufacture phones in China. But you may have labor costs to pay.
Sometimes customs will hold packages, open them, and even contact you to ask for more information. One of the problems with customs fees is that shippers will sometimes incur fees and charge them after you have received the package. It’s very common for them to add a seemingly random “management fee” or a “fee fee” that can be more than the work paid for.
