Apple Flies 1.5 Million iPhones Out Of India To Dodge Trump Tariffs: Report
To meet increased demand, Apple reportedly pushed its Indian manufacturing partner Foxconn to work overtime.
Apple has airlifted around 600 tons of iPhones — roughly 1.5 million units — from India to the United States in recent weeks, sources told Reuters. The operation, involving at least six cargo jets since March, marks a significant shift in Apple’s global manufacturing strategy as the tech giant looks to reduce its dependence on China.
A Strategic Flight Plan Amid Tariff Turmoil
Facing a staggering 125 per cent tariff on iPhone imports from China under President Donald Trump’s latest trade measures, Apple turned to India to ramp up production and avoid price shocks in one of its biggest markets. By comparison, imports from India face a lower 26 per cent tariff — currently paused under a 90-day exemption that excludes China.
“Apple wanted to beat the tariff,” said a source with direct knowledge of the company’s internal planning.
To fast-track shipments, Apple reportedly coordinated with Indian authorities to cut customs clearance times at Chennai airport from 30 hours to just six. This expedited process, modeled on Apple’s "green corridor" logistics used in China, allowed the company to quickly build up US inventory before the higher tariffs took effect.
Sunday Shifts and Foxconn’s Full Throttle Push
To meet increased demand, Apple reportedly pushed its Indian manufacturing partner Foxconn to work overtime. The company added shifts, including operations on Sundays at its largest plant in Chennai, which typically observes a weekly day off.
Three sources confirmed that the factory, which produced 20 million iPhones last year, including the latest iPhone 15 and 16 models, is now operating on all seven days of the week.
This production boost was part of Apple’s goal to raise output in India by 20 per cent, a target it managed to hit by increasing manpower and maximising factory uptime.
India’s Rising Role in Apple’s Global Playbook
Apple’s move signals India’s growing importance in its supply chain diversification strategy. As tensions with China escalate and trade policies grow more unpredictable, India is emerging as a viable manufacturing alternative.
Foxconn and Tata, Apple’s two primary Indian suppliers, currently operate three factories in the country, with two more under construction. Backed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which reportedly supported Apple’s expedited customs plan, the country is fast becoming a critical node in Apple’s global logistics network.
Commercial data reflects the shift: Foxconn’s shipments from India to the US soared to $770 million in January and $643 million in February — more than double the average from previous months. Most of those shipments landed in major US hubs including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
As Apple sells over 220 million iPhones annually, and as much as 20 per cent of US-bound units now originate from India, the message is clear: Cupertino is betting big on Chennai.
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