How Apple 'flew' 6 cargo planes to ship 1 million-plus iPhones from India to beat Trump Tariffs: 6-hour 'Green corridor' and more

Apple has reportedly chartered multiple cargo flights to ship an estimated 1.5 million iPhones, weighing approximately 600 tons, from India to the US, a report has said. This move aimed at ramping up inventory in its home country in an effort to mitigate the potential impact of tariffs previously threatened by US President Donald Trump policies.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, news agency Reuters reported that Apple’s motivation was to “beat the tariff.” To facilitate the increased shipments, the company reportedly lobbied airport authorities to reduce customs clearance times at Chennai airport in Tamil Nadu to six hours, down from the previous 30 hours.

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This expedited customs process, dubbed a “green corridor,” mirrors a system Apple utilises at certain airports in China, the source told the publication. Since March, approximately six cargo jets, each with a 100-ton capacity, have departed India, with one flight occurring this week as new tariffs were implemented, the report pointed out.

Reuters cites its calculations and said that measurements indicate that the 600 tons of cargo likely comprised around 1.5 million iPhone 14 units, factoring in packaging weight.

Apple transported millions of iPhones from India to US to avoid tariffs
Concerns had been raised regarding potential price hikes for iPhones in the US, given the company's significant reliance on manufacturing in China, which had been subject to the highest tariff rate of 125% – up from previously 54%. As compared to China, imports from India faced a lower tariff of 26% – which is now on hold following a recent 90-day pause that excludes China.

Previous projections also indicated that the iPhones that cost $1,599 (top-end iPhone 16 Pro Max in the US) could have surged to $2,300 under the high tariff rate that had been in effect, if Apple imported the phones from China.

Additionally, to meet its target of a 20% increase in usual production at its Indian iPhone plants, Apple reportedly added workers and temporarily extended operations at the largest Foxconn India factory to Sundays. Two direct sources confirmed that the Foxconn plant in Chennai, which produced 20 million iPhones last year including the latest iPhone 15 and 16 models, is now operating on Sundays, typically a non-working day.

India is becoming increasingly crucial for Apple as it diversifies its manufacturing base beyond China. Its primary suppliers in India, Foxconn and Tata, currently operate three factories, with two more under construction.

Previously, a report by The Times of India also said that Apple transported 5 planes full of iPhones from India to the US to avoid Trump Tariffs .