Swapping IMEI numbers when buying a new iPhone from Apple USA

IMEI numbers are not flashed onto a general-purpose EPROM. On an iPhone, the IMEI is programmed and securely stored on the baseband processor’s dedicated memory during manufacturing. This baseband EEPROM is specifically designed to hold critical identifiers like the IMEI, which ties the hardware to mobile networks and helps prevent tampering or cloning of the device identifier. The IMEI is permanently written during factory production and cannot be changed by users or through simple flashing techniques, as it is integral to the unit’s radio and cellular identity.

No.

Just buy a phone in your own country. A phone purchased in the US will not have a warranty in your country.

No can do!

IMEI is unique and not something one is allowed to change at all, doubt apple would ever offer to change it for whatever reason.

International Mobile Equipment Identity - Wikipedia

KiltedTim wrote:

Taxes and fees imposed by your government are the main reason it costs more in your country.

Take it up with them.

To add to this, in the U.S., State and local sales taxes are in addition to the advertised retail price of a product – they're not already built-in the way that, say, VAT is in the European Union.

States and localities probably will not offer a refund of sales taxes just because you plan on immediately taking a product purchased at retail out of the country.

On your return to your country, your government may require you to pay customs fees, import duties, etc. on top of the U.S. sales taxes. And you still won't have a warranty on that U.S. iPhone that is good in your country.

Taxes and fees imposed by your government are the main reason it costs more in your country.

Take it up with them.