Most of the iPhones shipped were assembled at Foxconn’s Sriperumbudur plant in Tamil Nadu, which has extended operations to seven days a week, including Sundays, to meet Apple’s urgent demand and boost output by 20%
In a power move reshaping its global production game, tech major Apple has quietly executed a large-scale airlift of iPhones from India to the United States in recent weeks, chartering cargo aircraft to transport nearly 600 tons of smartphones in a strategic move to avoid rising US import tariffs on goods from China. The operation, according to reports quoting sources, marks a critical shift in Apple’s global logistics and manufacturing priorities as India emerges as a key alternative to China in the company's supply chain.
Insiders familiar with the matter reportedly revealed that Apple dispatched at least six wide-body cargo flights from Chennai International Airport, each carrying an estimated 100 tons of packed iPhones. This amounts to nearly 1.5 million devices—mostly premium models—based on average packaging weights. The shipments were destined for major American cities, timed to arrive ahead of the full implementation of a 125% tariff on Chinese-made electronics.
By contrast, imports from India currently fall under a significantly lower 26% duty—providing Apple a financial cushion while the US temporarily suspends new tariffs on non-Chinese goods under a 90-day review window. The company, keen to minimize cost spikes and supply disruption in its largest market, moved swiftly to build up inventory using India as a launchpad.
Swift clearance drives iPhone transit
To expedite the process, Apple lobbied Indian authorities to set up a dedicated fast-track clearance mechanism at Chennai airport. This “green corridor” slashed cargo processing time from 30 hours to just six. The arrangement was designed in partnership with customs officials and closely mirrors similar protocols Apple has used in Chinese airports for time-sensitive shipments.
A senior Indian government official involved in the coordination said the initiative was a result of months of behind-the-scenes planning, supported at the highest levels of the central administration. India’s willingness to cooperate reflects its strategic goal of becoming a global manufacturing hub for high-end electronics.
Most of the devices shipped were assembled at Foxconn’s plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu—Apple’s largest iPhone facility in India. The factory has temporarily extended its working schedule to seven days a week, with Sunday shifts now in place to meet Apple’s urgent demand. Two separate sources confirmed this operational extension, citing the need to boost output by at least 20% over standard capacity.
India rises in Apple’s map
Trade analysts view Apple’s maneuver as both a tactical response to short-term tariff risk and a long-term signal of supply chain diversification. While China still handles a majority of Apple’s global production, India’s share has steadily grown in recent years. Current estimates suggest that one in five iPhones sold in the US now originate from India—a figure expected to rise as more local plants come online.
Customs data shows a surge in the value of Apple product exports from India to the US, with shipments reaching $770 million in January and $643 million in February. These figures more than double the average monthly totals seen in late 2024, reflecting the rapid scale-up of operations.
With geopolitical tensions and trade dynamics continuing to evolve, Apple’s India pivot demonstrates a decisive push to insulate its core business from supply chain volatility and position the country as a central node in its global manufacturing map.
