Buying iPhone from Apple US - card's not working, need help

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Buying iPhone from Apple US - card's not working, need help

My cousin is in the US now and I've been trying to buy an iPhone 16 Pro and have him pick it up so he can bring it to me in the Philippines. I can't check out as my card is not from a US bank, and there are no options for PH issued cards upon check out. I was using a debit card for straight payment. I then used my credit card, not working either. PayPal is not working either. I was hoping I can perhaps buy a gift card and use it, but the amount is limited -- whenever I click "other amount" all other options are grayed out. Can someone please give me an advice?

iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 17

Posted on Sep 15, 2024 5:37 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Lawrence Finch

Community+ 2026

Level 10

230,050 points

Sep 15, 2024 5:40 PM in response to aleahlavet

Why don’t you have your cousin buy it with their card, and you reimburse them? And I hope you understand that an iPhone purchased in the US will not have a SIM slot, and will only support eSIM, and it will have no warranty in the Philippines. And it will only be unlocked if purchased directly from Apple, not from any other seller.

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Answer 2

Sep 15, 2024 5:48 PM in response to 6x6

Apple online will only accept payment methods that have a billing address inside the country.

Meaning the US online only accepts US based credit cards.

Apple online stores will not ship internationally, meaning if you order from the US they will only ship to an address inside the US.

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Answer 3

6x6

Level 6

19,611 points

Sep 15, 2024 5:43 PM in response to aleahlavet

Your bank may not allow foreign transactions. For instance, when travelling to a foreign country, you have to let them know which countries you'll be visiting and on what dates.

I believe this i the reason your card is declined. Please contact your bank to see if they can allow transactions in the US.

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Answer 4

MrHoffman

Level 10

147,365 points

Sep 15, 2024 6:23 PM in response to aleahlavet

aleahlavet wrote:

That's what I was thinking too - sigh, so I guess even gift cards are restricted? I thought it might be a bit more lenient. My cousin was gonna pick it up at the store. Thanks!

Gift cards are country specific as well, as gift cards would otherwise provide ample opportunities for money laundering, tax evasion, and other financial crimes.

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Answer 5

aleahlavet Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 15, 2024 6:08 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

We have e-sim capabilities in the Philippines as well. Will be buying it directly from Apple. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that if there are any issues, I can still bring it to Apple regardless of which country I bought it from. I could be wrong..

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Answer 6

aleahlavet Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 15, 2024 6:10 PM in response to 6x6

The cards are open for international puchases. I just got back from traveling to Turkiye and Jordan and they worked just fine. I think it's the system as it does not have my country listed under the "issuing county" drop down option.

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Answer 7

Sep 15, 2024 6:13 PM in response to aleahlavet

AppleCare and AppleCare+ are only valid in the country of purchase.

Meaning if you buy it in the US, you will have to return to the US for any warranty repair.

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Answer 8

aleahlavet Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 15, 2024 6:13 PM in response to Johnathan Burger

That's what I was thinking too - sigh, so I guess even gift cards are restricted? I thought it might be a bit more lenient. My cousin was gonna pick it up at the store. Thanks!

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Answer 9

aleahlavet Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 15, 2024 7:01 PM in response to MrHoffman

Thank you! I guess I just have to ask him to buy it for me and pay him back. No other options. Thanks everyone! Have a good one!

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Buying iPhone from Apple US - card's not working, need help

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