Apple, which produces and assembles most of its iPhones in China, has accelerated its production capacities in India, bringing about 1,5 million smartphones from the Indian manufacturing hub via aircraft cargo in less than a month.
According to the information Reuters received from unnamed sources familiar with the matter, Apple has chartered six cargo jets with a capacity of 100 tons each to carry its flagship iPhone products from India to the U.S.
The tech giant reportedly resorted to this arrangement due to the intensifying exchange of trade tariffs between the United States and China, where the vast majority (80%-90%) of the brand’s iPhones are manufactured. In the latest development of this ongoing economic confrontation, the U.S. imposed 125% tariffs on Chinese goods while China unveiled retaliatory tariffs of 84% on imports of U.S. goods.
In preparation for this potential increase in production and delivery costs, Apple has doubled down on its facilities in India, where about 5–10% of iPhones are currently assembled. The plan is to shift about a quarter of all iPhone production to India in the nearest future. The company has been trying to diversify its production capabilities away from China for about a year now. However, today, China, the global leader in technological innovation and manufacturing prowess, is still home to most of Apple’s facilities.
To avoid higher tariffs under President Trump’s new trade policies, Apple ramped up production in India, utilising air cargo to quickly move iPhones across the borders. Air shipments from India are cheaper with a 26% tariff, in contrast to tariffs on Chinese imports that soared to 125%.
To streamline this process, Apple reportedly collaborated with Indian authorities to speed up customs clearance at Chennai airport, significantly reducing processing time from 30 hours to 6. Neither the company representatives nor India’s aviation ministry has officially commented on the report.
Foxconn, Apple’s main supplier in India, also increased production, introducing weekend shifts at the Foxconn plant in Chennai. It enabled shipments from India to the U.S. to rise significantly in early 2025.
The company’s current goal is a 20% increase in usual production at iPhone plants in India, as well as to expand its presence in the country. Foxconn is one of the biggest producers of Apple products. The Taiwan-based company acquired a 300-acre land plot on the outskirts of Bengaluru to build a mega factory in 2023. The facility has already been finished and begun trial operations to ensure it meets Apple’s quality standards and production goals. Reportedly, Foxconn plans to manufacture between 25 million and 30 million iPhones in India during 2025, more than doubling its output from the previous year.
The airlifting of iPhones from India is notable since such a transportation method is not typically used. As a rule, air shipments make up less than 1% of the total import tonnage and are generally reserved for products where speed and lower duty rates justify the higher cost of air transport.
However, considering the tariff influence, such a rush may be well justified. By rough estimations, even at the 54% tariff rate, the $1,599 cost of the top-end iPhone 16 Pro Max in the United States would have surged to $2,300, not to mention the much higher 125% tariff. It would also negate the whole purpose of its budget model, iPhone 16e.
At the same time, the U.S. tariff policy is as volatile as the weather. In the latest public comments, President Trump suggested that some American companies most affected by the trade tensions may be considered for a tariff exemption. If Apple is lucky enough to fall into this category, its smartphone sales won’t be endangered much.
