Apple has chartered cargo flights to transport 600 tons of iPhones, approximately 1.5 million units, from India to the United States, in an effort to avoid tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. This move follows the company’s increased production in India as part of its strategy to circumvent U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made goods.
Due to Trump’s high tariff rates on imports from China—up to 125%—Apple faced potential price hikes in the U.S. market. In contrast, the tariff on imports from India was significantly lower at 26%, which was temporarily paused by Trump for 90 days.
Read more: Apple iPhone Prices in the US May Rise by $700 Due to Trump Tariffs
To expedite the process, Apple lobbied for faster customs clearance at Chennai airport, reducing processing time from 30 to just six hours, using a model similar to its operations in China.
Since March, Apple has been using six cargo jets, each with a 100-ton capacity, to transport the iPhones. The company’s production in India has also increased, with Foxconn’s factory in Chennai now operating on Sundays to meet the higher demand.
Apple’s efforts to diversify its manufacturing beyond China have positioned India as a key production hub, with Foxconn and Tata running multiple factories.
In January and February 2025, Foxconn’s shipments to the U.S. saw a significant rise in value, reaching $770 million and $643 million respectively, marking a notable shift in Apple’s supply chain strategy. Despite these efforts, Apple and India’s aviation ministry have not commented on the matter.
