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Investing.com -- Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has flown around 1.5 million iPhones from India to the United States in recent weeks, as part of an aggressive move to sidestep the impact of steep U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, Reuters reported Thursday, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.
Per the report, the tech giant chartered six cargo jets, each with a capacity of 100 tons, to carry roughly 600 tons of iPhones, amid a broader effort to build inventory in one of its most important markets.
The shipments come as Apple ramps up production in India, aiming to shield itself from the 125% U.S. tariff on Chinese imports—far above the 26% rate currently applied to Indian goods. That lower rate has been paused for 90 days, excluding China, following a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week.
Apple "wanted to beat the tariff," Reuters said, citing one of the sources.
The company pushed to speed up customs clearance at Chennai airport in Tamil Nadu, securing a “green corridor” that reduced processing time from 30 hours to six, the report said. This setup mirrors a model Apple already uses at some Chinese airports.
The effort to ramp up shipments coincides with Apple’s push to increase production in India. According to Reuters, Apple aimed for a 20% boost in output at its iPhone plants by adding workers and temporarily extending operations at the largest Foxconn (SS:601138) India factory to Sundays.
The report also noted that the Foxconn plant in Chennai is now running on Sundays, which are typically observed as a holiday.
The factory turned out 20 million iPhones last year, including iPhone 15 and 16 models. As Apple diversifies its manufacturing beyond China, it has positioned India to play a larger role. Foxconn and Tata, its main suppliers in the country, operate three plants, with two more under construction.