Wintrack vs Chennai Customs: Finance Ministry Steps In After Corruption Allegations
The Finance Ministry, via a senior Department of Revenue officer, orders a fair inquiry into Wintrack Inc.'s allegations of corruption against Chennai Customs
The Union Finance Ministry has stepped in after serious corruption and harassment allegations were made against Chennai Customs by local trading firm Wintrack Inc, which recently announced that it would wind up all import and export operations in India.
A senior officer from the Department of Revenue (DoR) has been deputed to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the matter, the Ministry said on Thursday.
Following Wintrack's announcement, social media platforms in India were flooded with posts from users expressing outrage over the alleged harassment, with many accusing customs officials of crippling businesses through corruption. The debate has since spiralled into a wider conversation on systemic red tape and accountability in trade regulation.
On the Wintrack issue, in a post on its official X handle, the Ministry said the inquiry will be “fair, transparent and fact-based,” with hearings from all parties involved, examination of officials concerned, and scrutiny of documentary evidence. The government emphasised that the issue is being treated with “utmost seriousness” and assured “appropriate and expeditious action in accordance with the law".
The statement also underlined recent measures aimed at strengthening taxpayer protections, including faceless customs procedures, the Taxpayer Charter, and appellate forums for dispute resolution. “The government remains committed to ease of doing business,” the Ministry reiterated.
The controversy escalated after Wintrack Inc, a Chennai-based trading firm, declared that it was ceasing operations in India from October 1.
In a detailed note, the company alleged that for the last month and a half, its consignments had been deliberately obstructed at Chennai Customs.
The firm said the problems intensified after it flagged instances of bribery earlier this year.
“After exposing corruption, retaliatory action destroyed our business,” the company claimed, adding that sustained pressure had left it with no option but to shut down. Wintrack thanked its clients and partners for standing by during what it called “a challenging journey".
On the other hand, as per media reports, customs authorities have dismissed the allegations as false and damaging. Officials maintained that the delays stemmed from compliance failures, not harassment. According to their version, Wintrack’s shipments were found to have undeclared items, including USB charging cables, and goods that required environmental certification under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022.
Customs further claimed the importer accepted a reclassification of goods in September, contradicting the narrative of arbitrary obstruction. The department also accused the company of attempting to intimidate officers and using social media selectively to build pressure.