To beat Trump Tariffs, Apple Airlifts 600 Tonnes of iPhones from India

After increasing manufacturing in India to try to get around President Donald Trump's tariffs, tech giant Apple hired cargo planes to transport 600 tonnes of iPhones—up to 1.5 million—to the US from India. As per a media report, the move's specifics shed light on the American smartphone company's change of plan. Apple has taken this step to increase its stock of iPhones in the US. Given Apple's heavy reliance on imports from China, the primary location for iPhone manufacturing, which is subject to Trump's maximum tariff rate of 125%, analysts have cautioned that the price of iPhones in the United States may rise. That amount is significantly more than the 26% duty on Indian imports, which is currently on hold after Trump announced a 90-day truce this week that does not apply to China. Apple "wanted to beat the tariff", as reported by a media house. The corporation pushed Indian airport authorities to reduce the 30-hour customs clearance period at Chennai airport in Tamil Nadu's southern region to six hours.

Special Arrangements Made to Airlift iPhones

Apple uses a similar approach at various Chinese airports, and the so-called "green corridor" structure at the airport in the manufacturing base in India was modelled after it. According to an Indian government official, since March, about six cargo jets with a capacity of 100 tonnes apiece have taken off, including one this week right before new tariffs went into effect. As reported in the media, an iPhone 14 and its charging connection weigh approximately 350 grams (12.35 oz) when wrapped. This suggests that, after deducting some packaging weight, the 600 tonnes of freight included roughly 1.5 million iPhones. According to Counterpoint Research, India now accounts for a fifth of all iPhone imports into the US, with China accounting for the remaining portion. Apple sells over 220 million iPhones annually worldwide.

Foxconn Plant Operational of Sundays as Well

Apple increased air shipments to India in order to reach its target of a 20% increase in regular production at iPhone factories. According to a media site, the company has increased staff in order to achieve this aim. Also, it has temporarily extended production operations at the largest Foxconn India facility on Sundays as well. Last year, the plant produced 20 million iPhones, including the most recent versions, the 15 and 16. Apple has set up India for a crucial role as it expands its production outside of China. Its two primary suppliers, Foxconn and Tata, currently operate three factories there, with two more under construction.