Apple Reportedly Airlifts 600 Tons of iPhones from India to Avoid Trump-Era Tariffs

LAHORE (RNN TV) — Tech giant Apple chartered multiple cargo flights to transport 600 tons of iPhones—equivalent to nearly 1.5 million units—from India to the United States, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The large-scale airlift comes as part of Apple’s broader strategy to ramp up production in India and circumvent steep tariffs imposed under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies. The move also highlights Apple’s efforts to secure sufficient iPhone inventory for the U.S. market, one of its largest and most critical.

According to analysts, the cost of iPhones in the U.S. could surge if Apple remains overly dependent on Chinese manufacturing. Imports from China are currently subject to a hefty 125% tariff—Trump’s highest—compared to a significantly lower 26% duty on imports from India.

However, the Indian tariff rate is now temporarily on hold, following Trump’s recent announcement of a 90-day pause that excludes China, further incentivizing companies like Apple to reroute their supply chains.

“Apple wanted to beat the tariff,” said one source with direct knowledge of the company’s logistical planning.

To streamline the process, Apple reportedly lobbied Indian airport officials to fast-track customs clearance at Chennai airport in Tamil Nadu, cutting processing time from 30 hours to just six, the source added.

The move underscores Apple’s growing reliance on India as a manufacturing and export base, as the tech giant works to diversify its supply chain amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.

Apple Uses ‘Green Corridor’ at Indian Airport to Fast-Track iPhone Shipments Amid Tariff Pressure: Report

Apple implemented a special “green corridor” at Chennai airport, modeled after a similar system used in China, to expedite the shipment of iPhones from India to the United States, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Since March, around six cargo jets, each with a 100-ton capacity, have flown out of India carrying iPhones—one of them departing this week as fresh U.S. tariffs came into effect, the source and an Indian government official confirmed.

Based on Reuters’ measurements, the packaged weight of an iPhone 14 and its charging cable is approximately 350 grams. This suggests that the 600 tons of cargo likely included about 1.5 million iPhones, allowing for some weight due to packaging.

Neither Apple nor India’s aviation ministry responded to requests for comment. All sources requested anonymity, citing the sensitive and private nature of the logistics and policy discussions.

Apple, which sells over 220 million iPhones globally each year, is increasingly leaning on India as a manufacturing hub. Research firm Counterpoint estimates that around 20% of all iPhones imported into the U.S. now come from India, with the remainder still sourced from China.

Under former President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, duties on Chinese imports surged from 54% to 125% as of Wednesday. At the higher rate, the top-tier iPhone 16 Pro Max—priced at $1,599—could cost up to $2,300 in the U.S., based on projections from Rosenblatt Securities.

Boosting Output with Sunday Shifts

To meet the rising demand and support Apple’s goal of a 20% production boost, Indian suppliers ramped up manufacturing. Apple added workers and extended shifts at the Foxconn plant in Chennai, including operating on Sundays—a traditional day off—according to the source.

Two additional sources confirmed that the Foxconn facility, which produced 20 million iPhones last year, including the latest iPhone 15 and 16 models, is now running operations on Sundays.

As Apple diversifies its supply chain beyond China, India is becoming a pivotal part of its global manufacturing strategy. Foxconn and Tata—Apple’s key suppliers in the country—currently operate three factories, with two more under construction.

The push to establish the expedited customs clearance system at Chennai took roughly eight months of planning. One senior Indian official noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government directed relevant authorities to assist Apple in facilitating the process.