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Chennai Customs Faces Inquiry as Small Businesses Share Bribe and Harassment Claims

Officials reject the charges, citing misdeclaration and compliance lapses.

Overview

  • Wintrack Inc. says it has halted India import–export activity from October 1 after 45 days of alleged harassment, citing specific bribe demands and publishing chats, receipts and videos.
  • The Finance Ministry has ordered a fact-finding review, and the CBIC says all evidence posted publicly will be examined with action taken as warranted by law.
  • Chennai Customs has called the accusations false and attributes clearance delays to importer non-compliance, including items like USB cables with batteries that trigger EPR rules.
  • AugiePets founder Dr. Ravi Pachaiyappan says he closed his Krishnagiri warehouse after a ₹3,000 request to approve a Google Maps update for the facility.
  • Social posts have multiplied with further claims, including a user alleging her used jacket was destroyed after refusing to pay ₹7,000 and a California man recalling a duty-or-bribe demand over a shipped monitor.