Apple has airlifted 1.5 million iPhones from India to the US in a strategic move to avoid sudden tariffs on Chinese-made devices. Credit: Shutterstock, Alex Pakhomovie
According to Reuters, Apple quietly aired around 1.5 million iPhones from India to the US.
The high-tech giant has chartered six cargo planes with around 100 tonnes of iPhones from Chennai Airport in southern India. This was all part of a broader strategy to build US inventory ahead of tariffs as new rates for Chinese-made electronics surge to 125% this week, compared to just 26% of imports from India.
“They wanted to beat a simple, simple tariff,” said one insider. And they were quick about it. Apple negotiated with Indian customs to cut clearance times from 30 hours to just six, creating what is called “green corridors” at the airport. This is a model that is already in use in parts of China.
Apple is boosting iPhone production in India amid the Chinese shift
With over 220 million iPhones sold worldwide each year, the US is Apple’s top market. However, as Trump’s aggressive tariffs pushed prices up, the company began to be kicked out of Chinese manufacturing quickly. India has emerged as a key player in its plan.
According to Counterpoint Research, India currently accounts for around 20% of iPhones imported to the US, with the rest still coming from China. To meet growing demand, Apple has pushed for a 20% increase in production at its Indian factories run by Foxconn and Tata. This included running plants on Sundays (usually off) and hiring more workers to increase production.
In 2023, the company produced around 20 million iPhones, including iPhone 15 and 16 models, through Chennai’s Foxconn Factory alone.
High import duties could cause US iPhone prices to skyrocket
Apple has not commented on air transport, but customs data is clear. Foxconn’s US exports from India surged to $770 million in January and $643 million in February, more than doubled the figure from the previous month.
Most shipments have landed in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. It is clearly intended to strengthen inventory in major American markets before prices surge. Analysts warned that if tariffs were applied to Chinese-made phones, the top-end iPhone 16 Pro Max could jump from $1,599 to around $2,300.
For now, the US has allowed a 90-day suspension on new tariffs excluding China, giving apples and other businesses a narrow window to readjust them. But one thing is clear. India is no longer part of the backup plan, but at the heart of Apple’s future manufacturing map.
