When Apple airlifted 600 tons of iPhones from India to beat Trump tariffs

Apple reportedly transported around 600 tons of iPhones—nearly 1.5 million units—from India to the United States using chartered cargo flights. According to sources cited by Reuters, the move is part of the company’s efforts to reduce its exposure to rising import tariffs on products from China. "Apple wanted to beat the tariff," the source said. The Cupertino-based company has flown about six cargo jets, each carrying approximately 100 tons from India to the US since March.
As per the report, the US-based company has pushed for quicker customs clearance at Chennai airport in Tamil Nadu, cutting processing time from 30 hours to six. This arrangement, referred to as a "green corridor," mirrors processes Apple already uses in China.
The new U.S. tariff rate on imports from China has reached 125%, significantly higher than the 26% tariff on Indian imports. However, the 26% India tariff has been temporarily paused after President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of the hike—though this pause does not apply to China.

Analysts have warned that iPhone prices in the US could rise if Apple remains dependent on Chinese manufacturing. At the new 125% tariff rate, the top-end iPhone 16 Pro Max—priced at $1,599—could cost as much as $2,300, according to estimates by Rosenblatt Securities.
Data shows a sharp rise in Foxconn's shipments from India to the US in early 2025. The value of shipments reached $770 million in January and $643 million in February, compared to between $110 million and $331 million in the previous four months. Over 85% of these shipments arrived in major US cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
India is becoming a more important part of Apple’s global supply chain. The company now has three supplier-run factories in the country, with two more under construction. Apple achieved $10 billion in iPhone production in India during April-October 2024. The company aims around 25% of all iPhone global production in India.