India cuts import duties on electronics parts, aiding Apple

The Indian government has eliminated import duties on a range of components and machinery used in electronics manufacturing, a move expected to significantly benefit Apple as it expands iPhone production in the country. The policy change, announced on July 8 and effective immediately, removes tariffs of 7.5% and 5% on specific inputs and will remain in effect until March 31, 2029.

The exemptions target key areas of the supply chain. For smartphone manufacturing, duties were removed on six specific inputs used to produce wireless charging inductor coil modules, a core component of technologies like Apple's MagSafe ecosystem. The policy also covers a wide array of machinery-approximately 85 categories-used in manufacturing lithium-ion battery cells, including welding machines and inspection lines. Additionally, duty relief was granted for five inputs used in display assemblies for automotive, medical, and industrial electronics, though notably not for displays used in mobile phones, televisions, or smartwatches.

Industry analysts say the measure is designed to lower production costs and attract deeper investment into India's electronics sector. Manoj Mishra, a partner at Grant...