Apple suppliers ship record iPhones to US - Reuters

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s primary suppliers in India, Foxconn (SS:601138) and Tata, reached a new milestone by shipping nearly $2 billion worth of iPhones to the United States in March, according to Reuters, citing customs data.

This figure represents an all-time high for the companies, as Apple took proactive steps to avoid the impact of potential tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. The tech giant increased production within India and utilized cargo flights to transport 600 tons of iPhones, securing ample inventory for one of its key markets amid concerns of rising costs due to the tariffs.

The U.S. administration, in April, introduced a 26% tariff on imports from India, significantly lower than the tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, which exceeded 100% at that time. However, Trump has since put a hold on most tariffs, excluding those on China, for a three-month period.

Foxconn, a leading supplier for Apple in India, exported smartphones worth $1.31 billion in March alone, the highest amount recorded for a single month and equivalent to the combined shipments of January and February. The exports included various iPhone models such as the iPhone 13, 14, 16, and 16e, bringing Foxconn’s total U.S. shipments for the year to $5.3 billion.

Tata Electronics, another key supplier for Apple, also saw a significant increase in exports, with $612 million worth of shipments in March. This was approximately 63% higher than the previous month and included the iPhone 15 and 16 models.

The specifics of these shipments were revealed through commercially available customs data, which also indicated that all of Foxconn’s U.S. shipments in March were transported by air from Chennai Air Cargo terminal to multiple destinations, including Los Angeles, New York, and predominantly Chicago.

In a move to expedite the process, Apple reportedly lobbied Indian airport authorities to reduce customs clearance times at Chennai airport from 30 hours to just six hours. At least six cargo jets were part of the operation, which a source described as an effort to "beat the tariffs."

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