Race Against Tariffs: Apple Flies 600 Tons Of iPhones Out Of India To US
India-West News Desk
NEW DELHI – Apple has airlifted approximately 600 tons of iPhones—equivalent to as many as 1.5 million devices—from India to the United States in a bold logistical operation designed to stay ahead of escalating import tariffs under President Donald Trump’s trade policy, Reuters reported.
The unprecedented move, carried out via chartered cargo flights, reflects Apple’s growing reliance on India as a secondary manufacturing hub to China, as well as its behind-the-scenes efforts to circumvent a steep 125% U.S. tariff on Chinese imports. By comparison, iPhones imported from India face a lower 26% duty—currently paused for 90 days following a temporary reprieve announced by Trump on April 7, which notably excludes China.
Apple “wanted to beat the tariff,” said one source familiar with the planning, to Reuters.
To facilitate the rapid export of devices, Apple lobbied Indian authorities to implement a special “green corridor” at Chennai airport, slashing customs clearance times from 30 hours to just six. This strategy mirrors similar fast-track channels the company has employed at key Chinese airports. The operation has seen at least six cargo jets, each capable of carrying 100 tons, departing from Chennai since early March reported Reuters.
The airlifted devices are mainly iPhone 14, 15, and 16 models, according to sources, whose packaged weight—including charging cables—averages about 12.35 oz. The company reportedly ramped up output at Indian plants, including Foxconn’s largest India facility, by adding labor and extending operations to Sundays, pushing total production to 20 million iPhones in 2024.
India’s importance in Apple’s supply chain is growing rapidly. Currently, an estimated 20% of iPhones shipped to the U.S. come from India, while the rest are still sourced from China, Reuters noted. The latest customs data shows a surge in Foxconn shipments from India to the U.S., reaching $770 million in January 2025 and $643 million in February 2025, compared to $110–331 million in the preceding four months.
Most of these shipments were delivered to major American cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, according to Reuters.
The months-long operation also benefited from support at the highest levels of the Indian government. One senior Indian official told Reuters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration instructed officials to assist Apple in executing the expedited export strategy, underscoring India’s commitment to strengthening its tech manufacturing ecosystem.
As Apple continues to diversify production and reduce dependence on China, its investment in Indian manufacturing is only expected to deepen, with Foxconn and Tata—the company’s main suppliers—operating three factories in India and two more under construction.
