Apple charters flights to dodge Trump tariffs on imports
Apple has chartered cargo flights to transport 600 tons of iPhones, approximately 1.5 million phones, from India to the U.S. This move is aimed at avoiding tariffs introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, as reported by Reuters on Thursday.
Analysts warn that iPhone prices in the U.S. could sharply increase due to Apple's heavy reliance on imports from China, where these devices are primarily produced.
The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration can reach a maximum rate of 125%. This rate significantly exceeds the 26% tariff on imports from India, which Trump suspended on Wednesday for the next 90 days.
According to a source cited by Reuters, Apple "wanted to bypass tariffs" by transporting 600 tons of phones. The company lobbied with authorities at the Indian airport in Chennai (Madras), in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India, to reduce customs clearance time from 30 to six hours.
As reported by the source and an Indian government official, six cargo planes carrying Apple products, each with a capacity of 100 tons, have flown out of India since March, including one this week.
Apple sells over 220 million iPhones annually worldwide. The analytical firm Counterpoint Research estimates that 20% of all iPhones imported to the United States come from India, with the rest from China.
Value of shipments has sharply increased
Reuters reported that the Foxconn factory producing the phones is also operational on Sundays. In 2024, the company produced 20 million iPhones, including the latest models, 15 and 16.
According to available customs data, the value of Foxconn's shipments from India to the U.S. sharply increased, to $770 million in January and $643 million in February, compared to the previous four months when the value ranged between $110 million and $331 million.
The Trump administration explains that introducing tariffs is intended to encourage American companies to invest domestically. However, relocating the supply chains necessary for production will lead to a significant increase in prices.
Senior equity research analyst Dan Ives from the financial firm Wedbush Securities stated in a statement sent to the American edition of "Newsweek" that the cost of a new iPhone made in the U.S. will be approximately $3,500. By the end of 2024, the average price of an iPhone was $1,018.
