Apple has airlifted 1.5 million iPhones from India to the U.S. to avoid Trump’s steep China tariffs, using chartered flights and fast-tracked customs clearance in Chennai as it boosts Indian production and shifts its global supply chain.
Apple has reportedly airlifted around 600 tonnes of iPhones, roughly 1.5 million devices from India to the United States in a strategic move to bypass mounting tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to sources, the tech giant chartered six cargo flights from Chennai, India, after scaling up production at its Foxconn facility. The operation was designed to beat the 125% tariff on Chinese imports, which threatens to significantly inflate the cost of iPhones in the U.S. The same device imported from India is currently subject to a 26% tariff, substantially lower and now temporarily paused.
To facilitate the urgent shipments, Apple lobbied Indian authorities to streamline customs clearance in Chennai, reducing processing time from 30 to just 6 hours via a specially created “green corridor.” The company also ramped up production by extending plant operations to Sundays.
India now accounts for around 20% of Apple’s U.S. bound iPhone exports, signalling a shift in its supply chain diversification away from China. With Foxconn and Tata expanding production capabilities in India, Apple’s long-term strategy to counter tariff pressures while maintaining competitive pricing is taking shape. Apple and Indian officials have not yet commented on the reports.
Read next
21:30
Brussels has fined Apple and Meta over €700 million combined, launching its first crackdown under the Digital Markets Act aimed at curbing big tech’s power and boosting competition in the digital economy.
17:00
Apple and Meta have been fined €500 million and €200 million respectively by the European Union for breaching the bloc’s new Digital Markets Act, escalating tensions in the transatlantic tech trade dispute.
20:06
Trump Tariffs
In response to the recent imposition of substantial U.S tariffs on Chinese imports, several American companies are actively relocating their manufacturing operations to mitigate financial risks and maintain competitive pricing.
14:38
Market showdown
The EU is preparing to rule on Apple and Meta’s alleged breaches of the Digital Markets Act, potentially issuing fines as it seeks to curb Big Tech’s dominance and reinforce fair competition across the digital landscape.
17:00
Apple
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment