Overview
- Wintrack said it halted all import‑export activity from October 1 after 45 days of alleged harassment and claimed a ₹2.1 lakh bribe was paid to release a shipment worth about $6,993.
- Chennai Customs and the CBIC rejected the bribery charge, asserting the dispute involves misdeclaration and misclassification, undeclared USB charging cables, and missing EPR compliance for products with rechargeable batteries.
- The Finance Ministry directed the Department of Revenue to conduct a detailed inquiry, stating the government will examine evidence, hear all parties, and take action in line with law.
- Wintrack posted a video recounting incidents since January and shared screenshots naming specific officials, while Chennai Customs alleged the importer tried to intimidate officers during a September 30 meeting.
- Customs cited additional compliance gaps in a related shipment filed under the founder’s wife’s company, as political and business figures urged accountability and flagged wider concerns about port‑level corruption.