Apple has scrapped its longstanding free-of-charge return policy in Hong Kong and Macao, in a sign of the tech giant's determination to deter scalpers from making a quick buck on its newly launched handsets.

Apple had previously allowed customers in Hong Kong and Macao to return the undamaged products for free, with the original receipt and packaging, within 14 days of the pick-up date.

However, buyers will now be charged a 25-percent "open box fee" when returning their opened Apple or Beats products, and a 15-percent "restocking fee" for closed-box returns. A tailor-made return policy, in particular, has been introduced for purchases of more than four products from the same category.