Page 148 - final fill 160 v28 with bleed.ai

105 Smuggling in India Report 2024-25

Case 11: Seizure of misdeclared consignment of toys and latex
balloons at Mundra port

In September 2024, DRI intercepted four containers at Mundra Port misde-
clared as baby garments and décor items, uncovering 21 MT of latex balloons,
8,300 toys without BIS certification, and undeclared goods worth ₹3.38 crore,
indicating ₹1.29 crore duty evasion. The importer and two others were arrest-
ed for forgery, with evidence of 13 earlier similar consignments without BIS
certification, worth ₹31 crore and over ₹11 crore in duty evasion.

Conclusion

Smuggling of counterfeit, substandard, and IPR-infringing goods poses serious
threats to public health, consumer safety, and legitimate trade in India. The illicit
flow of such products, ranging from fake cigarettes to unsafe cosmetics, under-
mines regulatory integrity and fuels organized crime. Combating such illicit trade
requires coordinated enforcement, technology-enabled detection, and strong
international cooperation. Equally vital are public awareness and industry collab-
oration to create a resilient ecosystem that protects health, safety, and fair com-
merce from the dangers of illicit trade.

final fill 160 v28 with bleed.pdf 148 12/19/2025 3:28:05 PM