According to Reuters’ sources, Apple now hired cargo flights to deliver 600 tons of iPhones, or as many as 1.5 million iPhones from India to the United States.
The Tech giant relied on firms having their plants in India, such as Foxconn, to assemble most of its products. However, the main manufacturing hub happens to be located in China, a nation that is currently facing President Donald Trump’s 125% tariff rate.
Trump previously subjected China to the 54% tariff rate, and that rate alone can surge the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s price in the U.S. from $1,599 to $2,300.
Apple now tried to circumvent this 125% tariff by diversifying its manufacturing to India, which is subjected to a tariff rate of 26%. Its current goal is to increase iPhone production there by 20%.
Following the tariff pause, Apple convinced Indian airport authorities at the Chennai airport to clear customs within six hours instead of 30 hours.
Since March, approximately six cargo jets, each capable of carrying 100 tons, have departed from India, according to a source and an Indian government official. One of these flights occurred this week right as new tariffs were implemented.
