Customs authorities in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata, have ordered import shipments originating from China and Hong Kong to be out under “100% examination” at the item-level. As a result, these shipments have been held back at major Indian seaports and airports since June 22, CNBC reported, sources with knowledge of the matter.
The hold also affects consignments which have been given Out of Charge (OOC) order at ports and container freight stations (CFSs). The examination includes verifying declared description, quantity, address, and other notification claimed valuation, as well as checking for concealment.
The sources also revealed delays in the Bill of Entry (BOE) assessment at the Customs House. Customs officers are reportedly seeking appraisers and supporting documents for due diligence before assessing BOE for Chinese consignments.
Indian customs did not officially disclose reasons behind these actions, but some officials cited the seizure of drugs, suspected to be from China, by the Tamil Nadu police in two separate events. However, market sources said that it could be a soft signal toward China following a deadly military standoff in the disputed Himalayan borders.
