Infrared thermometers smuggled into India: DRI

NEW DELHI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has sounded an alert to different customs formations across the country to check smuggling of infrared thermometers into the country from China, officials said on Friday.

The move assumes significance as the demand of such thermometers have spiked in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The DRI has sent an alert to inland container depots and the cargo airport in Delhi and other places across the country, dealing with the import and export of commodities from abroad, among others asking them to be vigilant about such smuggling,” an official said. He said there is information to suggest that smugglers may under-value or mis-declare these thermometers to illegally import them.

India had lost a staggering US$ 13 billion, over Rs 90,000 crore, to trade mis-invoicing (that includes under and over invoicing), equivalent to 5.5 per cent of the value of the country’s total revenue collections in 2016, according to a 2019 report by the US-based think-tank Global Financial Integrity.

A non-contact infrared/thermal thermometer of a reputed manufacturing firm may cost anywhere between Rs 3,500 and Rs 8,000, according to the websites selling them.

“A strict vigilance is maintained to thwart such attempts to cause damage to the Indian economy and the local manufacturers,” the official said, referring to the DRI alert issued recently.