Wholesale refurbished phones, graded and checked before they ship to Ireland
After parts, refurbished phones are the biggest ticket a phone shop buys, and the riskiest. A grade on an invoice tells you nothing about whether the phone is blacklisted, still locked to someone's account, or running a tired battery. Ériu Sourcing buys graded stock through the Shenzhen and Hong Kong used-phone trade and checks each phone before it is packed for Ireland.
Last reviewed:
- Guangdong Manufacturing region
- 1–2 weeks To source and check a mixed order
- EN + CE Compliance verified at factory
Guangdong (Shenzhen) and Hong Kong used-phone trade
Hong Kong sits at the centre of the global trade in used phones, and the refurbishing, grading and parts work happens across the border in Shenzhen. The same "Grade A" can mean very different things from different traders, so every phone needs checking against your grade definitions, not theirs.
See our full China network →
Built for Irish trade buyers, not consumers
- ✓ Independent phone shops
- ✓ Repair shops adding device sales
- ✓ Multi-branch phone retailers
- ✓ Online refurbished-phone sellers
- ✓ Business device-fleet buyers
Technical specification
| Models | Recent iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models; other brands on request |
|---|---|
| Grades | Cosmetic grades (A, B, C) agreed in writing against your definitions before buying |
| Per-phone checks | IMEI blacklist status, activation lock and network lock, battery health against your minimum, full function test (screen, touch, cameras, speakers, microphones, charging, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, biometrics) |
| Parts history | Replaced-parts notices on iPhones (Settings > General > About > Parts and Service History) recorded per phone |
| Packing | Individually boxed or bulk-packed, with a per-phone report listing IMEI, grade, battery health and test result |
What we verify at the factory, before the container is sealed
- Every phone IMEI-checked against blacklist databases; blacklisted or reported phones are rejected
- Activation-locked or account-locked phones rejected; network-unlocked stock as standard
- Functionality tested and documented, as EU rules require evidence of testing to show used electronics are products, not waste
- CE-marked models only, with EU-compatible chargers and plugs supplied where requested
- VAT: import VAT is charged on the full value at entry. Revenue has challenged dealers applying the margin scheme to second-hand phones they imported themselves, so take VAT advice before pricing on a margin basis
Goods that fail compliance or pre-shipment QC stay in China at the factory's cost, you do not pay freight on non-compliant product.
Ask about compliance documentation →What this lands at in Ireland
Refurbished phone prices move weekly with model, storage, grade and battery health. We quote per model, storage and grade for the mix you want, as a landed cost including freight, duty and import VAT, and we tell you which grades are good value that week.
Lead time and logistics
Lead time: Typically 1–2 weeks to source and check a mixed order, then roughly one to two weeks to Ireland by air express.
Phones ship by air express with built-in batteries declared correctly (UN3481). Each carton carries a packing list by IMEI so you can book stock in phone by phone.
What Irish buyers need to know
Grades only describe how a phone looks. Before you buy refurbished stock in volume, read our guide to buying refurbished phones wholesale: grades, IMEI checks and VAT, including the VAT point that catches importers out.
Refurbished phones can ship on the same order as screens, batteries, accessories and gadgets. See our phone shop supply service.
Electronics, sourcing questions answered
How do you make sure refurbished phones are not stolen?
Every phone is IMEI-checked against blacklist databases before we buy it, and any phone reported lost or stolen is rejected. We also reject phones that are activation-locked or still tied to a previous owner's account. You get the IMEI list with your shipment.
What do grades A, B and C mean?
Grades describe cosmetic condition, not function, and every seller defines them differently. We agree written grade definitions with you before buying (for example, what marks are allowed and the minimum battery health), then check every phone against them, not against the trader's label.
Can I use the VAT margin scheme on imported refurbished phones?
Be careful. Import VAT is charged on the full value when phones enter Ireland from outside the EU, and Revenue has challenged dealers who applied the margin scheme to second-hand phones they imported themselves. Talk to your accountant before you price on a margin basis.
Will a refurbished iPhone show replaced parts?
If a part has been replaced, recent iPhones show it under Parts and Service History in Settings. We record what each phone shows and can buy to your rule, for example original screens only, so there are no surprises for your customers.
Related products you can source direct
- Home battery storage for Irish installers
- Portable power stations
- CCTV & IP security cameras
- Network switches & equipment
- Smart home & IoT devices
- Commercial digital signage & displays
- POS hardware & barcode scanners
- Phone replacement screens
Get factory-direct pricing for wholesale refurbished phones, graded and checked before they ship to ireland
Send a brief, specification, quantity, timeline. We come back with factory-level pricing, a supplier shortlist, and a clear plan. No obligation.