Apple Inc. (AAPL) Stock: Foxconn Ships $4.4 Billion in India iPhones to America

TLDR

Table of Contents

Foxconn exports 97% of India-made iPhones to US between March-May 2025, up from 50% average in 2024
Apple shipped $4.4 billion worth of iPhones from India to US in first five months of 2025, exceeding full-year 2024 total of $3.7 billion
Strategic shift aims to bypass potential 55% tariffs on China-made products while India faces only 10% baseline tariff
Made-in-India iPhones expected to reach 25-30% of global shipments in 2025, up from 18% in 2024
Tata Electronics also redirected 86% of its iPhone production to US markets during March-April period

Apple has dramatically restructured its iPhone export strategy from India, with customs data revealing that Foxconn now ships 97% of its Indian iPhone production directly to the United States. This represents a massive shift from the 2024 average of just 50.3%.

#SourcesSay | Foxconn ships 97% of India-made iPhones to the US; Jan–May exports hit $4.4B, surpassing full-year 2024 #Apple #iPhone #Foxconn #USIndiaTrade pic.twitter.com/DhOKhjp2eU
— ET NOW (@ETNOWlive) June 13, 2025

The numbers tell a compelling story of corporate agility under trade pressure. During the March-May period, Foxconn exported $3.2 billion worth of iPhones from India. Previously, these devices were distributed across multiple markets including the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Britain.

May 2025 alone saw nearly $1 billion in iPhone shipments from India to the US. This marked the second-highest monthly total on record, trailing only March’s $1.3 billion shipment. The rapid acceleration has already pushed 2025’s five-month total to $4.4 billion, surpassing the entire 2024 figure of $3.7 billion.

Apple chartered planes to transport iPhone models worth roughly $2 billion directly to American markets in March. The company also lobbied Indian airport authorities to reduce customs clearance times at Chennai airport from 30 hours to six hours. Chennai serves as a key export hub for iPhone shipments.

Manufacturing Hub Strategy Takes Shape

The shift comes as President Trump announced potential 55% tariffs on Chinese goods while India faces only the standard 10% baseline tariff. Apple historically manufactured roughly 80% of its iPhones in China before trade tensions escalated.

Trump criticized Apple’s India expansion in May, telling CEO Tim Cook the company should build in America instead. “We are not interested in you building in India, India can take care of themselves, they are doing very well, we want you to build here,” Trump recalled from their conversation.

Despite the criticism, Apple continues expanding Indian operations as tariffs would make China-manufactured phones much more expensive for US consumers. The company sells more than 60 million iPhones annually in the United States, making it their largest single market.

Counterpoint Research senior analyst Prachir Singh expects made-in-India iPhones to account for 25-30% of global iPhone shipments in 2025, compared to 18% in 2024. This projection reflects Apple’s commitment to diversifying manufacturing beyond China.

Secondary Supplier Follows Pattern

Tata Electronics, Apple’s smaller Indian supplier, has followed a similar pattern. The company shipped 86% of its iPhone production to the US during March and April. Tata only began exporting iPhones in July 2024, initially sending just 52% of shipments to America.

The Tata Group subsidiary represents Apple’s effort to establish multiple Indian manufacturing partners. This diversification strategy reduces dependence on single suppliers while building local manufacturing capacity.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promoted India as a smartphone manufacturing hub in recent years. However, high duties on mobile phone component imports still make Indian production expensive compared to other countries.

Apple’s supply chain transformation demonstrates how quickly multinational corporations can restructure operations when economic incentives align. The 97% export rate to the US shows how trade policies create new manufacturing realities.

The company has successfully navigated trade tensions while maintaining supply chain flexibility. This operational agility has helped preserve profit margins despite changing tariff structures.

Current customs data shows Apple’s Indian manufacturing strategy continues accelerating through 2025, with both Foxconn and Tata maintaining high US export percentages.

Stay Ahead of the Market with Benzinga Pro!

Want to trade like a pro? Benzinga Pro gives you the edge you need in today's fast-paced markets. Get real-time news, exclusive insights, and powerful tools trusted by professional traders: