Apple rapidly shipped five planeloads of iPhones and other products from India to the US in late March to avoid new tariffs, ensuring steady prices temporarily. This pre-tariff move helps delay global price revisions. Other exports like gems and jewellery also surged to capitalize before the tariffs took effect. March exports are estimated to surpass $800 billion.
Also, the tariffs don’t apply to items packed on boats by midnight eastern time. Those products have until May 27 to arrive in the US and not be taxed.
So, it’s possible Apple flew a bunch of phones over and stuffed a bunch of boats full of iPhones. Granted, they’d need a place to store them and distribute them.