Apple reportedly transported five planes loaded with iPhones and other devices from India to the United States within just three days during the final week of March, according to a senior Indian government official who spoke to The Times of India.
The urgent shipments were executed to avoid a 10% reciprocal tariff imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump, which came into effect on April 5.
The unexpected airlift is a strategy by the tech giant to shield its pricing structure from the immediate impact of the new tariffs. This rapid mobilization took place during a period that is usually considered slow for global electronics shipping.
“Factories in India and China and other key locations had been shipping products to the US in anticipation of the higher tariffs,” according to one source, a source familiar with Apple’s logistics strategy confirmed.
This stockpiling will help Apple keep prices the same for now, the report said.
“The reserves that arrived at lower duty will temporarily insulate the company from the higher prices that it will need to pay for new shipments under the revised tax rates,” the source explained.
Apple is said to have enough stock in its US warehouses to last for several months.
While the tariffs specifically target imports entering after April 5, Apple’s early action is expected to keep US retail prices steady for the time being. The company’s warehouses in the US are now reportedly stocked with enough inventory to last several months, giving Apple breathing room.
This comes amid the tariff-related costs that might eventually be passed on to consumers, affecting demand and profit margins globally. “Any price hike to offset this impact cannot be limited to just the US market, but will have to be taken across key global regions, including India,” the source said.
Even after the looming trade challenges, Apple currently has no plans to increase retail prices in India or other markets. The company is said to be closely monitoring how different tariff structures across its supply chain will influence future pricing and production decisions.
The Trump administration has also announced a second wave of tariffs— a steep 26% reciprocal duty — set to come into force on April 9. The announcement is likely to further influence Apple’s manufacturing and sourcing strategies.
In this scenario, India is increasingly being seen as Apple’s safest and most strategic bet in the global manufacturing landscape. With production capabilities ramping up rapidly in the country, India has emerged as a key node in Apple’s supply chain diversification. This also aligns with Apple’s aim to reduce its dependence on China.
Industry experts suggest that this adaptable response by Apple shows both the fragility and flexibility of global tech supply chains in the face of protectionist policies.
You might also be interested in – iPhone could cost up to Rs 3 lakh if made in the US, says report
