Watermelon seeds import scam busted
The importers and manufacturers were evading customs duty by showing under invoice of the imports. Watermelon is an agro commodity which invites 36% customs duty on imports. "These importers used to show invoice of $300 per MT while the standard price of watermelon seeds is $1,000 per MT," said a DRI official. Major portion of the consignments seized was imported from Sudan while the rest was from Pakistan. The main application of watermelon seeds is in the food industry. "The peels of seeds are removed and the white kernel is mainly used in sweets after processing," added the official.
The officials suspect use of hawala route in the transactions so that the importers can evade the customs duty.
DRI will also look into the violations of any food-related acts. "The importers have to get Phyto sanitary certificate from the source country. We will check if the seeds were fumigated or not," said DRI official.
Source: indiatimes.com
