This comprised Apple iPhone 13, 14, 16 and 16e models, and pushed Foxconn’s shipments from India to the United States this year to $5.3 billion. Apple’s key India suppliers, Foxconn and Tata, exported close to $2 billion worth of iPhones to the United States in March, a record high, as the US firm flew in devices to avoid President Donald Trump’s looming tariffs, customs data indicates.
The producer of smartphones increased output in India and hired cargo flights to transport 600 tons of iPhones to the United States to provide enough stock in one of its largest markets on fear Trump’s tariffs would drive up costs.
In April, the US government levied 26% tariffs on imports from India, much less than the over 100% that China was already facing. Trump has since suspended most tariffs, except China for three months.
Apple’s largest India supplier, Foxconn, shipped smartphones valued at $1.31 billion in March. Its single-month record is the same as shipments in January and February combined, based on commercially available customs data seen by Reuters.
These included Apple iPhone 13, 14, 16 and 16e models, and pushed Foxconn’s total shipments from India to the United States this year to $5.3 billion. Shipments from Apple supplier Tata Electronics were worth $612 million in March, some 63% more than in the preceding month, and consisted of iPhone 15 and 16 models.
Apple, Foxconn and Tata declined to comment immediately. Reuters was the first to break the news on shipment details. Customs records revealed all Foxconn exports to the US in March came by air from the Chennai Air Cargo facility, and arrived at different destinations, including Los Angeles and New York, with Chicago taking the bulk.
Trump subsequently approved exclusions from high tariffs on smartphones and certain other imported electronics largely from China but subsequently stated those reprieves would probably be temporary. To speed up deliveries, Apple pressured Indian airport officials to reduce the time it takes to clear customs at Chennai airport in the southern Tamil Nadu state, to six hours from 30 hours.
