NEW DELHI (Agencies): In a high-stakes logistical operation, Apple reportedly airlifted five planeloads of iPhones and other devices from India to the United States over a span of just three days in late March, as part of a last-minute effort to beat the clock on a new round of US tariffs.
According to a Times of India report citing unnamed senior officials, the tech giant moved the shipments ahead of a 10% reciprocal tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump, which came into effect on April 5. The emergency airlift is seen as a strategic move by Apple to avoid sudden cost spikes that could ripple through its global supply chain.
Sources said Apple had been preparing for the tariff changes by dispatching products not only from India but also from China and other major production hubs to the US. By doing so, the company ensured that a stockpile of devices, imported at pre-tariff rates, would temporarily shield it from immediate pricing pressures.
Despite its efforts to diversify production to countries like India and Vietnam, the majority of iPhones are still made in China, where import duties on Apple products now stand at 34%. Meanwhile, goods from India and Vietnam are subject to new US tariffs of 26% and 46% respectively.
Industry analysts say Apple is currently assessing the long-term implications of these varying tariff regimes on its operations. The company, which sells over 220 million iPhones annually, is particularly exposed due to its reliance on global manufacturing and its dominant market presence in the US, China, and Europe.
Analysts at Rosenblatt Securities have warned that if Apple passes the full cost of tariffs to consumers, the price of the base model iPhone 16, launched at $799, could rise by as much as 43%, reaching $1,142. However, Apple has no immediate plans to raise prices globally, the report added.
Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly intensifying efforts to expand exports from India, signaling a long-term strategy to reduce dependence on China amidst escalating trade tensions.
This unprecedented airlift highlights the growing complexity of global tech supply chains in an era of shifting geopolitical and economic policies.