On the eve of the official sales launch of the new iPhone 18 lineup, 7,496 devices from this series have already been brought into Ukraine. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the State Customs Service. According to customs statistics, the total value of the imported flagships is $8.9 million, and 79.6 million hryvnias in customs duties were paid into the state budget upon their clearance. Meanwhile, pre-orders at retailers opened on September 18, 2026, and official sales start on September 25, 2026 — meaning a significant portion of the devices is already physically in the country before customers can buy them in official stores.
Timeline and customs statistics
According to State Customs Service data, as of September 21, 2026, 7,496 iPhone 18 series smartphones have been legally imported into the country. The average unit value under customs valuation is approximately $1,187, and the average customs duty is around 10,600 hryvnias per device, which is consistent with the profile of flagship models. Customs authorities emphasize that, in parallel with legal imports, they continue to counter attempts to smuggle devices illegally, so the actual number of devices that crossed the border may be higher than the officially cleared figure.
How to check the legality of an iPhone 18 via IMEI
To avoid buying a "gray" or smuggled smartphone, a buyer can instantly check the device's legality through a special state service. The algorithm is simple: first, you need to find the IMEI — a unique digital code listed on the box, in the smartphone's settings, or displayed by dialing *#06#. Next, you need to go to the official State Customs Service web resource for verification and enter the IMEI code. The system will instantly show whether the specific phone has been cleared through customs and legally brought into Ukraine. Such a check helps avoid purchasing a device that may not be covered by the official warranty and service.
What is a "gray" smartphone and should you trust it
It is important to understand that "gray" status does not mean the device is counterfeit or will not work. Such an iPhone may be fully original but intended for another country's market. A seller's claim of a warranty does not always mean official service, and a low price does not always indicate a counterfeit. However, a price that is too low compared to official stores requires careful verification of the device's origin before purchase.
Contradictory data
There are two slightly different pictures in the public sphere. On the one hand, the State Customs Service records 7,496 legally cleared devices worth $8.9 million — these are the official figures based on filed declarations. On the other hand, some outlets (in particular, Obozrevatel) report that the first batches of iPhone 18 Pro Max "did not reach" buyers, meaning some of the devices were detained during attempts to smuggle them illegally. These data are not mutually exclusive: 7,496 is the number of legally cleared smartphones, while detained "gray" and smuggled devices are not included in this figure. Buyers should keep in mind that the actual flow of devices physically entering the country exceeds the officially cleared amount, which is why checking the IMEI before purchase is especially relevant.
Practical takeaways for buyers
In summary: before the official sales launch on September 25, 2026, more than seven thousand iPhone 18 smartphones are already in the country, and a significant portion of them is legal. Nevertheless, the risk of acquiring a "gray" device persists, especially on the secondary market and from unofficial sellers. The only reliable way to confirm legality is to check the IMEI via the State Customs Service service. It is free, takes seconds, and protects against buying devices without an official warranty and service.
