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Apple Airlifts 600 Tons of iPhones From India 'to Beat' Trump Tariffs, Sources Say

Thursday 10 - 16:10 By: Zahouani Ilham

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In a strategic move to avoid steep U.S. tariffs, Apple has transported 600 tons—equivalent to around 1.5 million iPhones from India to the United States using specially chartered cargo flights, according to sources familiar with the matter.

This behind-the-scenes effort highlights Apple’s proactive response to President Donald Trump's tariff policies, particularly on imports from China, the primary manufacturing hub for iPhones. With Chinese imports now facing tariffs as high as 125%, compared to India’s lower rate of 26% which is temporarily suspended Apple has accelerated production in India to protect its U.S. inventory.

To streamline logistics, Apple successfully lobbied for a fast-track "green corridor" at Chennai Airport in Tamil Nadu, reducing customs clearance from 30 hours to just six. Since March, at least six cargo planes carrying 100 tons each have flown to the U.S., with one flight coinciding with the enforcement of new tariffs.

Each iPhone with packaging weighs about 350 grams, suggesting the total cargo included approximately 1.5 million units. While Apple and India’s aviation authorities have not commented, sources say the move reflects Apple’s intent to sidestep rising costs due to tariffs.

Apple ships over 220 million iPhones globally each year, with a growing share around 20% now sourced from India, according to Counterpoint Research. The remaining majority still comes from China, but the higher tariffs have prompted Apple to scale up its Indian operations significantly.

To meet rising production goals, Apple increased output at its Indian plants by 20%, extended shifts, and even began operating on Sundays at Foxconn’s major Chennai facility, which produced 20 million iPhones last year. The company is also expanding its manufacturing base in India, with three operational factories and two more under construction, run by suppliers Foxconn and Tata.

Planning for the new customs protocol took eight months, supported by Indian authorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Export data indicates Foxconn’s U.S.-bound shipments from India surged in early 2025, reaching $770 million in January and $643 million in February substantially higher than in previous months. Most of these shipments arrived in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.