# Apple Airs 600 Tonnes of iPhones to Bypass US Tariffs

**Published:** 2026-09-17T13:48:50.638Z  
**Topic:** Apple News  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/42874ac2-6897-40a8-ad92-1766cd972e2c

Apple chartered six cargo flights to move 1.5 million iPhones from India to the US, aiming to mitigate new tariffs that have cut the company's value by $500B.

Apple chartered six cargo flights to transport 600 tonnes of iPhones from India to the US at the end of March, a tactical shift to circumvent escalating import tariffs [1]. The move underscores the company's struggle to manage a supply chain crisis that has seen its market value drop by $500 billion since early April [1].

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 600 tonnes (approx. 1.5 million units) |
| Market value loss | $500 billion since April 2 |
| Berkshire stake | $60 billion (22% of equity portfolio) |
| Primary production | China (historical), India (expanding) |

## Supply chain under pressure
The airlift, which involved six planes each with a 100-tonne capacity, was designed to "beat" incoming US tariffs [1]. To expedite the process, Apple negotiated a "green corridor" at Chennai airport, slashing customs clearance times from 30 hours to six [1]. This logistical pivot is part of a broader effort to ramp up US inventory as trade tensions intensify; China recently adjusted tariffs on US goods to 125% in response to the Trump administration’s 145% levy on Chinese imports [1].

While Apple is shifting more production to India—which exported over $17 billion in iPhones last year—analysts warn that moving manufacturing to the US is not a viable short-term solution [1]. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives estimates that domestic production could push the price of an iPhone from $1,000 to over $3,000, noting that such a transition would likely take until at least 2028 [1].

## The Berkshire Hathaway connection
Despite the volatility, Apple remains the cornerstone of Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio [2]. Even after trimming its position from 300 million to approximately 228 million shares, Berkshire retains a stake worth roughly $60 billion [2]. The investment firm continues to benefit from Apple’s aggressive share buyback program, which effectively increases Berkshire's ownership percentage without requiring additional capital [2]. Under new CEO Greg Abel, the holding is viewed as a foundation of conviction rather than a legacy position, though the company faces ongoing pressure to prove its competitiveness in artificial intelligence [2].

## What to watch
*   **May 1 Conference Call:** CEO Tim Cook is scheduled to address analysts, where he may provide clarity on the company’s strategy regarding tariffs and supply chain shifts [1].
*   **Leadership Transition:** Monitor how new CEO John Ternus, who brings a background in hardware engineering, adjusts the company’s product focus amidst slowing growth [2].
*   **Tariff Evolution:** The 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for certain countries remains a volatile variable that could force further changes to Apple’s import logistics [1].

The central question remains whether Apple can sustain its current pricing and margins as it navigates a trade environment that threatens to upend its decades-old manufacturing model. With the company's stock down 15% since the latest tariff hikes, the upcoming earnings call will serve as a critical test of investor confidence in its long-term operational resilience [1].

## Sources
1. Euronews — [How Apple is airlifting tonnes of iPhones to avoid... | Euronews](https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/04/11/how-apple-is-airlifting-tonnes-of-iphones-to-avoid-trumps-tariffs)
2. The Motley Fool — [Why Berkshire's Stake in Apple Still Matters More Than People Think](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/07/30/why-berkshires-stake-in-apple-still-matters-more-t/)
3. Gdz — [номер 1, страница 4 - гдз по английскому языку 4 класс (spotlight)...](https://gdz.top/4-klass/english/jushina-spotlight-grammaticheskiy-trenagor/01-1)
4. Upgrader — [Апгрейдер предметов CS2 | Официальный Сайт UPGRADER](https://upgrader.vip/ru)

---
Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Apple Airs 600 Tonnes of iPhones to Bypass US Tariffs", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/42874ac2-6897-40a8-ad92-1766cd972e2c