Wintrack stops imports and exports after accusing Chennai Customs

Wintrack Inc, a Chennai-based logistics and import-export firm, said it will halt all its import and export operations in India from October 1, alleging that officials at Chennai Customs subjected the company to sustained harassment and demanded bribes after the firm twice publicised alleged corruption. Chennai Customs denied the accusations, saying the dispute arose from misclassification and noncompliance with mandatory regulations, and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and the Union finance ministry have said the matter will be reviewed.

Founder Prawin Ganeshan said the decision followed 45 days of what he described as unjustified pressure by customs officers, and he alleged that his wife’s company had been forced to pay more than Rs 2.1 lakh to clear a shipment valued at about USD 6,993. Ganeshan posted screenshots and named specific officers he said were involved, writing that after exposing alleged bribery twice this year "they retaliated, effectively crippling our operations and destroying our business in India."

Chennai Customs, responding in a detailed statement, said the controversy centres on eight undeclared boxes of USB charging cables with built-in...