A covert operation to transport 600 tons of iPhones from India to the US was staged by Apple in an attempt to pre-empt Donald Trump’s to China, whose total tariffs now stand at 145%.

Apple, according to Reuters, managed to ship 1.5 million devices via freighter aircraft chartered for the purpose, according to people involved in the planning.

The operation demonstrates Apple‘s strategy to circumvent tariffs and boost its stock in one of the world’s largest markets. According to analysts, the price of iPhones in the US will soar as Apple remains heavily dependent on imports from China. In contrast, in India, tariffs stand at 26% and have been suspended for 90 days.

Secret planning and speeding up customs procedures

“Apple wanted to get ahead of tariffs,” said a source with direct knowledge of the design. The company reportedly pressured the Chennai airport authorities to reduce customs inspection time from 30 hours to just six hours. In doing so, it formed a “green corridor” along the lines of the one Apple uses in China.

Since March, at least six airplanes with a cargo capacity of 100 tons each have taken off for the US. One of them left just the week the new tariffs were triggered, a person involved in the project and an Indian government official confirmed.

The total package weight of an iPhone 14, including the charging cable, is 350 grams. According to Reuters calculations, 600 tons translates to about 1.5 million devices.

India is gaining ground on the production line

Following the changes brought to global trade by Donald Trump’s tariff policies, Apple is redirecting its production, giving a bigger role to India. Foxconn and Tata, two of its key partners, operate a total of three factories in the country, with two more under construction.

To meet Apple’s needs, Foxconn’s largest factory in India has even started operating on Sundays, breaking the usual practice. The same factory produced 20 million iPhones in 2024, including the 15 and 16 models.

The Indian government has backed the tech giant, with a senior official saying it took eight months of planning to set up the accelerated customs clearance system.

Record export growth

The value of iPhone exports from Foxconn India to the US surged to $770 million in January and $643 million in February, up from $110-331 million in previous months, according to customs trade data.

More than 85 percent of those shipments were unloaded in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.

Apple and India’s Civil Aviation Ministry did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.