Apple Rushed Five Airplane Shipments of iPhones from India to the US to Beat New Tariffs

In a strategic move to sidestep newly imposed US import tariffs, Apple Inc. rapidly airlifted five planeloads of iPhones and other Apple products from India to the United States in just three days. The massive export operation took place in the final week of March 2025, just before a 10% tariff went into effect on April 5, according to senior Indian officials.

• Also Check: M5 MacBook Pro Launching Late 2025: Performance Boost Now, Big Redesign Coming in 2026

Apple’s Strategic Response to US Tariffs

Facing fresh US tariffs under the Trump administration, Apple acted swiftly to protect its profit margins and avoid passing on increased costs to consumers. The company expedited shipments from its manufacturing hubs in India and China to the US—an unusual move during what is typically considered a slow shipping season.

“Apple had foreseen the impact of upcoming tariff revisions and proactively began stockpiling inventory in its US warehouses,” a source close to the matter revealed. “This preemptive strategy allows the company to maintain current pricing levels for the near term.”

Apple Maintains Pricing for Now

Despite the additional 10% tariff, Apple has no immediate plans to increase retail prices in the United States, India, or other key global markets. The inventory imported before the tariff deadline will temporarily shield Apple from higher import duties, giving the tech giant breathing room to assess the long-term impact.

Apple’s well-stocked warehouses in the US ensure steady product availability, especially for high-demand items like iPhones, during the crucial April–June quarter. However, company insiders suggest that any future price adjustments will likely apply globally—not just within the US market.

India’s Role in Apple’s Global Supply Chain

India’s manufacturing capabilities played a pivotal role in helping Apple execute this last-minute logistics maneuver. The country, which currently faces a 26% reciprocal US tariff—significantly lower than the up to 54% tariff on Chinese goods—could become a more significant player in Apple’s long-term production strategy.

Apple already dominates India’s growing smartphone export sector, accounting for the majority of the country’s nearly $9 billion in smartphone exports to the US. The company is now re-evaluating its global supply chain to potentially expand production capacity in India amid ongoing trade tensions with China.

Broader Export Surge from India

Apple wasn’t the only company that had expedited shipments before the US tariffs took effect. Between April 1 and 4, gems and jewellery exports from Mumbai to the US surged six-fold, hitting $344 million compared to just $61 million in the same period last year. Apparel and textile exports were also fast-tracked, contributing to a significant uptick in India’s overall export activity.

Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), commented, “Air cargo shipments saw a notable rise in sectors where rapid export was feasible. We are estimating total exports in March 2025 to cross $40 billion.”

Despite a 3% annual dip in goods exports to around $437 billion, India’s combined goods and services exports are estimated to have surpassed $800 billion for the fiscal year ending in March. This performance was achieved despite a temporary export slowdown in February, when figures fell by 11%.

What’s Next for Apple and Exporters?

While Apple’s tactical export surge provides short-term relief, industry experts caution that front-loaded shipments may result in weaker trade volumes in the April–June quarter. The true extent of this impact will become clearer once official trade data for March 2025 is released on April 15.

• Also Check: Google Pixel 10 to Feature Revamped Camera System While Pixel 10 Pro Fold Gets Minor Tweaks

Meanwhile, Apple continues to evaluate the long-term implications of global tariff shifts and how they may influence future manufacturing and pricing decisions. With the United States remaining a vital market for iPhones and other Apple devices, the company is keen on avoiding cost hikes that could hurt demand and profit margins.