In March 2025, Apple’s primary India-based suppliers, Foxconn and Tata Electronics, exported nearly $2 billion worth of iPhones to the United States, marking a month-long all-time high.
According to customs data reviewed by Reuters, this surge was a strategic move to bypass President Donald Trump’s impending tariffs. The tech giant airlifted 600 tons of iPhones, including models like the iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16, and 16e, to ensure sufficient inventory in one of its largest markets.
The US administration introduced a 26% duty on imports from India in April 2025, significantly lower than the over 100% tariffs faced by China at the time. However, Trump later paused most duties—except for China—for three months. Fearing rising costs, Apple ramped up production in India and chartered cargo jets to expedite shipments. A source described the operation as a way to “beat the tariffs,” highlighting Apple’s proactive approach to maintaining market stability.
Foxconn and Tata Set Export Records
Foxconn, Apple’s leading supplier in India, shipped iPhones worth $1.31 billion in March alone, matching its combined exports for January and February 2025. This brought Foxconn’s total US-bound shipments from India to $5.3 billion for the year. Meanwhile, Tata Electronics exported $612 million worth of iPhones, including the iPhone 15 and 16 models, a 63% increase from February.
Read: Apple Charters Flights to Ship 1.5M iPhones from India, Dodging Trump Tariffs
Customs data revealed that all Foxconn shipments were transported via air from the Chennai Air Cargo terminal in Tamil Nadu, landing in US cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, with the latter receiving the majority. To streamline the process, Apple successfully lobbied Indian airport authorities to reduce customs clearance time at Chennai from 30 hours to just 6 hours, ensuring faster delivery.
Trump’s Tariff Policy and Its Impact on Apple
President Trump later granted temporary exemptions on steep tariffs for smartphones and other electronics imported from China. However, he indicated that these exemptions may not last long, prompting Apple to diversify its supply chain away from China. India has become a key manufacturing hub for Apple, with Foxconn and Tata playing pivotal roles in meeting US demand while navigating tariff uncertainties.
Apple’s record-breaking shipments from India underscore its efforts to mitigate tariff-related cost increases, which could otherwise raise iPhone prices for US consumers. By leveraging India’s manufacturing capabilities, Apple aims to maintain competitive pricing and market share. However, if Trump reinstates higher tariffs, the tech giant may face challenges in balancing production costs and consumer affordability in the long term.
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Apple, Foxconn, and Tata Electronics have not yet responded to requests for comment. As the first to report these shipment details, Reuters highlights the significance of this operation in the context of global trade dynamics and Apple’s supply chain strategy.
