Brazil Fines Apple $19 Million for Continuing to Sell iPhones Without Charger

A Brazilian court today levied a $19 million "social damages" fine (100 million reais) against Apple for selling iPhones without a charger, reports Reuters. The Sao Paulo state court said that Apple must offer battery chargers with iPhones that are sold in the country, providing a decision in a lawsuit brought about by the Brazilian association of borrowers, consumers, and taxpayers (AMBCC).

iphone 12 no charger earpods
Apple has said that it stopped offering chargers with iPhone purchases in order to cut down on carbon emissions. The company has argued that many customers already have chargers available, and it continues to sell chargers on a standalone basis.

The court presiding over the case did not look favorably on Apple's environmental explanation. "It is evident that, under the justification of a 'green initiative,' the defendant imposes on the consumer a required purchase of charger adapters that were previously supplied along with the product," read the ruling.

In addition to the fine, Apple is expected to sell iPhones with chargers and also provide chargers to all Brazilians who purchased their products after October 13, 2020, according to Brazilian news site Estadão. Apple ceased providing chargers with iPhones when it launched the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models in 2020. In most countries, Apple no longer ships iPhones with EarPods or a power adapter, offering just a USB-C to Lightning cable.

Back in September, the Brazilian Justice Ministry ordered Apple to stop selling iPhones without a charger and also levied a fine of $2.34 million, claiming that Apple was giving customers an incomplete product.

Apple has not complied with that order as it is appealing the ruling, with the company also planning to appeal today's Sao Paulo decision.

Tag: Brazil

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Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
34 months ago
Chump change for Apple. Apple already made double the amount of profit without inputting the Apple charger on iPhones and charging $19 for a 5W Apple Charger in today's era.

Brazil- Did you know Samsung is selling Android devices without including a charger as well. Go after Samsung ➡️➡️➡️
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fyrus Avatar
34 months ago
Funny how these topics show exactly how many fanboy are still on MacRumors.

It’s simple: a country has laws, you want to sell your stuff in that country? You follow their laws.

It’s that simple.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RalfTheDog Avatar
34 months ago
Just put a basket full of chargers on a table and if a person is buying an iPhone and wants one, just grab one. It's not that hard.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
atomic.flip Avatar
34 months ago

I mean, using that logic, you can argue that any accessory should be included. Where do you stop? Should a case be included? Headphones? How about Macs that are sold without Final Cut Pro X? I mean, without FCPX you can't do pro-video on the mac!

Apple should be able to sell each item a la carte. Just want the phone? Why pay for a charger too -- need just a charger, why pay for anything other than a charger? Bundling unneeded hardware is just wasteful.

This is just silly...
I think it’s silly for consumers to be ok with their vendors eliminating goods and services than maintaining and even increasing the price of what is being sold. They should knock 30 bucks off the cost of the phones for not including a charger.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BC2009 Avatar
34 months ago
I am sure changing the packaging and providing the chargers will cost more than the fine.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrkevinfinnerty Avatar
34 months ago

Apply could at least make it clear when ordering that if you need/want to add a charger, that's an option for extra $'s. Maybe they do? I don't recall seeing it when I ordered my 14Pro.
They kind of do. There is a section that shows what is included in the box and then when you go through the checkout flow it gives you the option of adding cases/power bricks/magsafe etc
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)