THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian market, like in many other countries, may have little option but to get carried away by cheap stuff in various hues offered by China and neighbouring South-East Asian nations. But wait,apart from posers on quality, all is not well with the flooding Chinese goods in the country. Instances of Indian importers burning their fingers and losing lakhs of rupees after getting cheated by agents of companies across the border is coming to light. While many are holding the shock of their lifetime to themselves after losing heavily,the trend of Chinese companies duping gullible buyers here is growing, according to information.In a classic case on high risk involved while dealing with Chinese goods, Jay and Jay Rubbers, Kottayam, a firm with decades-long experience in the business of natural rubber and chemicals, has found to their utter dismay that a 20-tonne container from M/S Zhangjiakou Fuyin Chemicals Co Ltd, China, supposed to contain PET resin granules, was bringing cheap calcium carbonate powder (china clay) instead of it.The resin, Polyethylene teraphthalate in granule form (virgin grade) is what is used in the making of PET bottles. The Kottayam firm had made the full payment of around `20 lakh and a customs duty of `3.16 lakh, going by the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit at site, opened while entering into the contract on September 19,2011. The consignment was shipped to Kochi with a duly covered certificate of origin and insurance policy.Confounding fears of the importer while getting the order for examination by Customs House, Kochi, the Customs chemical examiner subsequently filed a report three days ago that the white fine powder-filled bags in the container was nothing but inorganic calcium carbonate compound. The 20-tonne china clay costs less than a lakh in China.With a clear case of cheating in hand, Jins Dominic, proprietor of the Kottayam firm, is running from pillar to post now. “A request for recall of the bill entry has been filed by the firm with the Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Kochi.“We are planning to approach the Chinese embassy in New Delhi through the Union Commerce Ministry as well as the Ministry of External Affairs,” said Jins.“There are occasions when complaints of the ilk comes up, especially with Chinese consignments. But it cannot be said that it is a common phenomenon,” said a prominent officer in the Department of Customs and Excise, who preferred anonymity.“It was by chance that the PET consignment was found to be fraudulent. Had it not been for the timely intervention during the inspection time, the consignee would not have been able to even lodge a complaint. After delivery, it is the onus of the importer to bear any loss. Usually it is not possible for such an inspection before the delivery, especially when there are only few Container Freight Stations (CFS) for handling consignments like in Kochi,” said Nikhil Francis of Vettukattil Shipping and Clearing Agency, Ernakulam.He said that M/S Hanjim Shipping, a global steamliner company which had shipped the consignment, had also inspected in detail before booking the stuff.“In fact,I plumbed for the deal when I found that the price quoted for PET by the Chinese company was so competitive,” admitted Jins.“Scores of importers have lost immensely like this while dealing with Chinese goods, going by the feed back we received so far. But most of them have preferred to suffer in silence, thinking at the prospect of the world coming to know about their folly.However,such importers have ended their zest to make it big with Chinese products,” he said. Moreover,those who are bringing consignments avoiding actual customs duty, which is part of the business, will be hesitant to speak out.
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