Brazil on Tuesday ordered Apple Inc to stop selling iPhones without a battery charger in the country, claiming the multinational technology company sells an incomplete product to its customers.

According to Reuters, the Justice Ministry fined Apple 12.275 million reais ($2.38 million) and ordered the cancellation of the sale of the iPhone 12 and newer models, in addition to suspending the sale of any iPhone model that does not come with a power charger.

In the order, published in the country's official gazette, the ministry argued that the iPhone was lacking an essential component in a "deliberate discriminatory practice against consumers".

The Brazil order comes just a day before Apple Inc is ready to launch the new iPhone 14 at the company's annual September keynote event on Wednesday.

Apple had argued that selling iPhones without chargers was aimed at reducing carbon emissions, but Brazilian authorities countered this, saying there is no evidence of environmental protection.

Apple is yet to respond to the order.