Apple Boosts iPhone Shipments from India to Avoid Trump’s Tariffs

Apple has taken proactive steps to counter the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs by airlifting approximately 600 tons of iPhones, or about 1.5 million units, from India to the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reports.

The company has significantly ramped up its production in India, making it a key part of its strategy to circumvent high tariffs on Chinese imports and build inventory in one of its largest markets.

The US tech giant has been working to navigate the escalating trade war between the US and China, as tariffs on Chinese-made iPhones have reached as high as 125%. In comparison, Apple faces a much lower tariff of 26% on products imported from India, though this rate is currently on hold after Trump announced a 90-day pause this week. Apple’s decision to shift production to India comes as part of its broader strategy to reduce its dependence on China, which has long been its main manufacturing base.

To expedite the shipments, Apple reportedly lobbied Indian authorities to fast-track customs clearance. At Chennai’s airport, which is a key hub for Apple’s manufacturing operations in India, the time for clearing customs was reduced from 30 hours to just six hours. This “green corridor” arrangement allowed the company to quickly dispatch the iPhones via cargo jets. Since March, six cargo jets, each with a 100-ton capacity, have transported iPhones from India to the US, with shipments continuing even as new tariffs took effect.

Apple’s move to ramp up production in India has been supported by local authorities, with the Indian government reportedly assisting in clearing customs and ensuring the fast delivery of goods. The company has also expanded its workforce and extended operations at Foxconn’s largest iPhone factory in Chennai, which now operates on Sundays to meet the increased demand. Foxconn, one of Apple’s key suppliers, is working with Tata to manufacture iPhones in India, with several new factories being built in the country.

India has become a critical manufacturing hub for Apple, with more than 20% of iPhone imports to the US now coming from India, according to estimates by Counterpoint Research. Apple’s efforts to diversify production outside of China come amid ongoing concerns about rising tariffs, which have made it increasingly costly for the company to rely solely on Chinese manufacturing.