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American giant Apple has chartered cargo planes to deliver more than 600 tonnes of iPhone smartphones – about 1.5 million units – from factories in India to the United States. Reuters reports this with reference to insider sources.
The company is trying to avoid the new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, including the draconian 125% duty on imports from China. For Apple, which has traditionally produced the vast majority of iPhones there, this could mean a sharp rise in prices for its flagship models – up to $2,300 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, according to analysts.
To minimise the impact of the duties, Apple has increased production in India and stepped up its logistics. Since March, at least six cargo planes have departed from India, each with a cargo of 90 tonnes. One of the shipments took place the week the new duties came into effect.
In addition, Apple has been actively lobbying the Indian authorities to speed up customs clearance at Chennai airport from 30 to 6 hours by opening a so-called “green corridor” similar to the company’s Chinese hubs.
According to Counterpoint Research, one in five iPhones sold in the US currently comes from India – the rest are still imported from China.
Apple sells more than 220 million iPhones worldwide every year, and its current delivery strategy is an attempt to protect its position in one of its most important markets in the face of a possible price shock.
