BRAND NEW
A ‘new’ requirement should address factory seal status, original packaging, activation state, warranty territory and accessory completeness. A box that appears unopened does not by itself resolve region, warranty or age of inventory.
OPEN BOX
Open-box stock may range from inspected returns to display items or packaging-damaged units. Define cosmetic grades, activation history, screen and housing tolerance, included accessories and the functional test expected.
REFURBISHED
Ask who performed the refurbishment, which parts may have been replaced, how battery health is measured, what functional test is recorded and what warranty, if any, applies. The label alone does not communicate process quality.
SAMPLING AND ACCEPTANCE
For larger lots, inspection may use a sample rather than every unit. The agreement should state sample size, critical defects, major and minor defect thresholds, and what happens when the sample fails.
DOCUMENTING EXCEPTIONS
Keep exceptions line-specific. Record affected quantity, observed condition, supporting images and the decision. This helps prevent an accepted packaging variation from being mistaken for acceptance of functional damage.
REGULATORY LIMITS
Condition does not remove the buyer’s responsibility to assess import rules, radio approvals, battery transport, environmental obligations, product safety and resale disclosures in the destination market.