What UK buyers should know before importing Xiaomi’s latest flagship

The Redmi K90 Pro Max has become one of Xiaomi’s most talked-about flagships of 2025, promising top-tier performance at a lower price than traditional premium brands. However, for UK buyers, the real cost of owning this phone may go beyond the price tag. Hidden expenses such as customs duties, limited warranty coverage, and uncertain software support can affect the overall value of the device.

When ordering the Redmi K90 Pro Max from overseas, the first hidden cost comes in the form of customs and import taxes. Most online sellers list prices excluding UK VAT, which currently stands at 20 percent. Buyers importing the phone from Asia or other non-EU markets will likely be charged this tax upon delivery, along with potential customs duties and courier handling fees. For example, a £600 import could easily rise by another £100 or more once these charges are applied.

Some international retailers claim to include customs in their prices, but small print often reveals otherwise. In most cases, buyers are responsible for paying VAT directly to couriers like DHL or FedEx before receiving the package. Additionally, imported phones valued above £135 fall under stricter customs checks, meaning delivery delays or additional paperwork are possible.

The next issue concerns warranty coverage. Official Xiaomi UK models typically come with a standard one-year warranty and authorised repair access through local service centres. However, imported versions — especially those sold via online resellers — may carry only regional or manufacturer-limited warranties. If a Chinese or Hong Kong unit develops a hardware fault, it may need to be shipped back overseas for repair at the buyer’s expense, often taking several weeks.

Another complication arises with software updates. Xiaomi has improved its global update policy, promising up to four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches for premium devices. Yet, these guarantees apply primarily to official global or UK variants. Imported models often run region-specific firmware, which may receive updates later or occasionally miss certain UK-optimised features like carrier-specific 5G support.

In some cases, imported Redmi phones ship with pre-installed Chinese software versions that require manual flashing of the global ROM to access Google services fully. While this process is possible for tech-savvy users, it risks voiding warranty coverage and can lead to compatibility issues if not done correctly. For buyers who prefer plug-and-play simplicity, the official UK variant remains the safer option.

Network compatibility is another subtle cost. While the Redmi K90 Pro Max supports most global 5G and 4G bands, not every imported variant is guaranteed to support all UK frequencies. Users in rural areas or on specific carriers could experience reduced coverage or slower speeds, particularly with budget import models lacking full band support.

From a long-term perspective, after-sales service and parts availability also matter. UK repair centres are more likely to carry spares for officially released models. Imported versions might face delays or higher costs if a replacement battery, display, or motherboard is needed. The lack of local parts supply often makes independent repairs more expensive.

For UK consumers tempted by low online prices, the best approach is to compare the total cost — including taxes, shipping, and potential service expenses — against the official UK price once it becomes available. In many cases, the difference may be smaller than expected once hidden costs are factored in.

In summary, while the Redmi K90 Pro Max offers excellent value on paper, importing it into the UK can introduce unexpected costs and risks. Customs duties, limited warranty coverage, software update uncertainty, and potential network issues can all add up. For those who prioritise peace of mind and long-term reliability, waiting for the official UK release is the smarter choice.