Wholesale Electronics Trading Glossary
Working definitions of the terms used in B2B wholesale electronics trading. What each term means in practice, where it is used, and how it shows up in real deals.
All terms
Grade A
Used phone with minor micro-scratches only, fully functional, original parts, no locks.
TermGrade B
Used phone with visible scratches, minor frame dents, crack-free screen, fully functional.
TermGrade C
Used phone with significant cosmetic wear (chips, dents); 100 percent functional unless sold with declared faults.
TermMOQ
Minimum Order Quantity, the smallest number of units a seller will accept on a single order.
TermIMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identity, the 15-digit serial number on every GSM-compatible handset.
TermiCloud Lock
Apple Activation Lock, ties an iPhone or iPad to its original owner's Apple ID and cannot be bypassed.
TermMDM
Mobile Device Management, corporate enrolment that locks a phone to an organisation's management server.
TermT/T
Telegraphic Transfer, the standard bank wire payment used in wholesale electronics deals.
TermB/L
Bill of Lading, the shipping document that proves ownership of goods in transit.
TermPSI
Pre-Shipment Inspection, third-party inspection of goods at the seller's facility before payment release.
TermNIB
New In Box, factory-sealed retail box, never opened, with all original accessories and security seals intact.
TermCPO
Certified Pre-Owned, refurbished by the manufacturer or authorised facility with warranty.
TermGSM / WCDMA / LTE
The three main cellular technology generations: GSM (2G), WCDMA (3G), LTE (4G), determining regional compatibility.
TermBlacklisted IMEI
An IMEI added to the GSMA global database after being reported lost, stolen, or unpaid.
TermCarrier Locked
A phone restricted to a specific carrier's SIM card; sold separately from unlocked stock in wholesale.
TermFCC ID
US Federal Communications Commission identifier printed on every wireless device legally sold or imported into the United States.
TermCE Marking
European Economic Area conformity marking required on consumer electronics sold or imported into EU/EEA markets.
TermRoHS
Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive limiting lead, mercury, cadmium and other materials in electronics sold into the EU.
TermWEEE
EU directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, requiring producers and importers to register and fund collection of end-of-life devices.
TermeSIM
Embedded SIM, a soldered chip that holds subscriber identity data, replacing or supplementing the removable physical SIM card.
TermFRP Lock
Factory Reset Protection on Android, anti-theft mechanism that requires the original Google account password after a factory reset.
TermSamsung Knox
Samsung's mobile security platform including bootloader integrity, secure boot, and enterprise management hooks.
TermIncoterms
International Commercial Terms published by the ICC defining the responsibilities of buyer and seller for transport, insurance, customs, and risk.
TermR-SIM / Software Unlock
Hardware or software workaround that allows a carrier-locked phone to accept a different carrier's SIM, typically detectable and risky for wholesale resale.
TermAllocation
Supply rationing in a shortage: vendors split scarce stock across buyers on set terms, in contrast with open spot-market pricing.
TermATA Carnet
International customs document for temporary, duty-free import of demo stock and samples into trade-show countries, valid one year.
TermCheckMend
Recipero's device-history report, checks an IMEI or serial against loss, theft, and unpaid-finance records before purchase.
TermDDP vs DAP
Two Incoterms 2020 rules: under DDP the seller pays import duty and clears customs, under DAP the buyer handles import clearance.
TermESN
Electronic Serial Number, the legacy CDMA handset identifier; a bad ESN listing signals a blacklisted device in the US resale market.