Tech giant Apple has airlifted nearly 600 tons of iPhones—equivalent to approximately 1.5 million units—from India to the United States in a strategic move to avoid steep tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump’s administration, sources told Reuters.
The operation offers a rare glimpse into Apple’s behind-the-scenes efforts to navigate trade tensions and secure its U.S. inventory amid escalating tariffs on Chinese imports.
Facing a maximum 125% tariff on China-made devices, Apple expedited shipments from India, where import tariffs remain significantly lower at 26%, although currently on pause due to a 90-day suspension by the Trump administration that excludes China.
“Apple wanted to beat the tariff,” said a source familiar with the planning.
To accelerate logistics, Apple lobbied for faster customs clearance at Chennai airport in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu—reducing clearance time from 30 hours to just six. The initiative mirrors the company’s use of a similar “green corridor” model at select Chinese airports to streamline the movement of high-priority shipments.
Since March, around six cargo planes, each with a capacity of 100 tons, have departed from India, with one jet taking off this week just as the new tariffs took effect, according to sources including an Indian government official.
Each iPhone 14, including packaging and accessories, weighs approximately 350 grams. At that rate, Apple’s 600-ton shipment roughly equates to 1.5 million iPhones.
Neither Apple nor India’s aviation ministry has commented on the matter, and all sources requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information.
Apple, which sells over 220 million iPhones annually, continues to diversify its supply chain, with 20% of U.S. iPhone imports now sourced from India, according to Counterpoint Research. The remaining majority is still shipped from China.
Trade tensions have sharply increased costs. For example, under the previous 54% tariff, the iPhone 16 Pro Max with a retail price of $1,599 would see its U.S. price climb to $2,300 if manufactured in China, per estimates by Rosenblatt Securities.
With tariff pressures rising, Apple’s India push signals a long-term shift in its global supply strategy to mitigate risk, reduce dependency on China, and ensure stable pricing for consumers in key markets like the United States.
