when i opend my iphone box i found it had scratches in the frame

If you purchased “new” from Apple, return it.

Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Apple

If purchased from “someone else” discuss it with the seller.

I’d contact the store or Apple Support right away — sounds like a manufacturing defect or packaging issue.

Where did you buy it?

Apple? A carrier store? eBay? a guy on the corner?

As in Columbia Maryland, US?

Bummer. You will have to take it back there. You really should have opened the box before you left the US.

That’s unfortunate, but is also one reason — of several — why it’s always strongly recommended to purchase iPhones in the region of intended primary use.

Also, does your son’s anticipated carrier support eSIM?

(As any new iPhone purchased in the U.S. does not support nanoSIM … or even have a nanoSIM tray)