Apple flew in 5 planes of devices to dodge tariffs before deadline

In a high-stakes push to avoid soaring import taxes, Apple reportedly chartered five cargo planes loaded with iPhones and other devices into the U.S. just days before sweeping new tariffs took effect. The emergency airlift, carried out in the final week of March, highlights the scale of Apple’s response to mounting trade pressure as the U.S. imposed duties exceeding 100% on select Chinese-made goods.

The shipments were part of a last-minute effort to flood the U.S. market with high-value inventory before April 9, when the new tariffs officially kicked in. Coordinated in a matter of days, the operation aimed to get premium Apple products—especially those priced above $3,000—through customs in time to avoid massive cost increases.

Apple isn’t alone. The sudden tariff spike triggered a broader industry reaction, with tech giants like Microsoft and Lenovo also racing to expedite deliveries. Suppliers across Asia faced a logistical crunch as companies demanded faster output and immediate air transport, often without enough components or shipping slots to meet the demand.

While Apple has been working for years to reduce its reliance on China, this dramatic airlift underscores how much of its supply chain is still deeply tied to the region. To mitigate future risks, Apple continues expanding its production footprint in India, where devices shipped to the U.S. face significantly lower duties—around 26% compared to over 100% for Chinese exports.

With tensions rising and stock performance slipping, Apple’s costly but calculated move to fly in inventory may buy it time. But the pressure to reroute its supply chain permanently has never been higher.