New Import Duties Cause Apple to Raise AirPods Prices in India

As a result of increased import charges imposed by the government at the beginning of this month, Apple has boosted pricing for its entire AirPods array in India by 10% for various models.

Headphones and earbuds will be subject to a 15 percent to 20 percent duty upon importation into India under the new tariffs. However, Apple’s AirPods appear to be subject to a less harsh duty of roughly 5 percent to 10%. The third-generation AirPods are now $20,500 ($272), up from $18,500 ($245) previously. AirPods Pro are now $26,300 ($349), up from $24,900 ($330) previously, and AirPods Max are now $66,100 ($890). The cost of the second-generation AirPods has also increased by 5%.

“Customs duty rates are being adjusted to give a graded rate structure to assist local manufacturing of wearable gadgets, wearable devices, and electronic smart meters,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated in her February budget speech.

In India, Apple currently assembles only a few iPhone models. The Foxconn plant near Chennai is where the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 are made. On the other hand, the iPhone SE is built in the Wistron factory near Bengaluru.