Apple Charters Cargo Flights to Ship 600 Tons of iPhones from India to U.S. to Beat Trump Tariffs

In a major move to navigate around the escalating U.S.-China trade war, Apple has increased its production in India and chartered multiple cargo flights to ship 600 tons (around 1.5 million units) of iPhones from India to the United States. This strategy is aimed at avoiding the high tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Chinese imports, which currently stand at a staggering 125%.

The move highlights Apple’s ongoing efforts to diversify its supply chain and mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs, particularly as China has been the main manufacturing hub for Apple’s iPhones. While Chinese-made iPhones are subjected to a 125% tariff, those made in India face only a 26% tariff, which is now temporarily on hold due to a 90-day pause announced by Trump.

To speed up the process, Apple worked closely with Indian airport authorities to drastically reduce customs clearance time at the Chennai airport from 30 hours to just six hours, with the assistance of a “green corridor” system. This arrangement mirrors the customs clearance model used by Apple at some Chinese airports.

The air shipments, which began in March, involved about six cargo jets with a capacity of 100 tons each. This operation reflects Apple’s strategy to rapidly increase its inventory in the U.S., one of its largest markets, ahead of the new tariff implementations.

For Apple, the situation is urgent. Analysts have warned that U.S. prices of iPhones could surge dramatically if the tariffs are enforced, with some estimates indicating that the price of the high-end iPhone 16 Pro Max could increase by over $700. Apple’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing for a significant portion of its iPhone production has made it vulnerable to such price hikes.

Apple has also made significant strides to expand its manufacturing footprint in India, with the company increasing production by 20% at its factories, including operations running on Sundays at the Foxconn plant in Chennai. Foxconn, Apple’s primary supplier in India, has ramped up its production capacity in response to Apple’s push for increased output.

The logistics surrounding this operation have been highly coordinated, with a focus on minimizing delays and ensuring that products reach U.S. markets on time. India is becoming an increasingly critical part of Apple’s manufacturing strategy, and the company has already begun laying the groundwork for additional factories to expand production.

The first signs of the impact of this shift in production are already evident. Shipments from Foxconn’s Indian facilities to the U.S. surged in value, with data showing shipments worth $770 million in January and $643 million in February, compared to $110 million to $331 million in the previous months.

Apple’s move to ramp up production and expedite shipments from India underscores the growing importance of the Indian market for global tech giants. It also signals a potential shift in the balance of power in the global tech manufacturing sector, with companies increasingly looking to diversify their supply chains beyond China.