Apple airlifts 1.5m iPhones from India to bypass Trump tariffs

With tariffs on China soaring, Apple boosts reliance on Indian manufacturing.

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Apple has flown roughly 600 tonnes of iPhones from India to the United States over recent weeks in a race to outmanoeuvre President Donald Trump’s escalating tariffs on Chinese imports, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The airlift, equivalent to about 1.5 million iPhones, marks one of the company’s most aggressive moves yet to reduce its dependence on Chinese manufacturing as the US imposes a 125% tariff on Chinese electronics — a rate far exceeding the 26% rate on Indian imports, which has now been paused for 90 days under a fresh Trump directive.

“Apple wanted to beat the tariff,” said a source with direct knowledge of the operation.

Six chartered cargo flights — each with a 100-tonne capacity — have taken off from Chennai airport since March, with one flight departing this week just as new tariffs took effect. Reuters measurements suggest each boxed iPhone 14 weighs about 350 grams including packaging.

Chennai gets a ‘green corridor’

In a significant logistical adjustment, Apple lobbied Indian airport authorities to cut customs clearance time at Chennai from 30 hours to just six, mirroring a similar “green corridor” process it uses in China. One senior Indian official confirmed the fast-tracking of clearance as part of the government’s efforts to support Apple’s expansion.

Foxconn, Apple’s primary assembler in India, increased production at its Chennai factory by 20%, added workers, and even began operating on Sundays — usually a day off in the country — to meet demand.

Trade tensions reshape Apple’s supply chain

Apple has spent nearly eight months preparing for this logistics pivot, reflecting its urgency to adapt amid intensifying US-China trade friction. With the 125% tariff now in place for Chinese goods, analysts warn iPhone prices could spike dramatically. At that rate, the top-end iPhone 16 Pro Max could retail for over $2,300 in the US, up from its current $1,599.

India has become increasingly central to Apple’s diversification strategy. The tech giant now sources about 20% of its iPhones for the US market from India, with the rest still coming from China, according to Counterpoint Research.

Commercial data shows Foxconn’s India-to-US shipments reached $770 million in January and $643 million in February, dwarfing previous monthly values. More than 85% of these air shipments landed in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.

India’s growing role in Apple’s global playbook

Apple suppliers Foxconn and Tata currently operate three plants in India, with two more under construction. New Delhi is actively backing Apple’s expansion, viewing it as a strategic investment in India’s position as a global tech manufacturing hub.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to visit Washington later this month for IMF meetings, with hopes of further trade negotiation. However, industry insiders suggest the current tariff environment is unlikely to stabilise soon.

As Apple continues to adapt, its reliance on India may grow — not just as a backup to China, but as a core part of its future production model.