At least 46 containers from a Comoros-flagged ship, WIV RayfaDetained by customs officials at Nhava Sheva port, | Photo Credit: Imran Nisar
At least 46 containers from a Comoros-flagged ship, WIV RayfaThe men detained by customs officials at Nhava Sheva port were said to be carrying walnuts from China, but were “misdeclared” as Afghan produce.
The ship, which was carrying 310 containers and was claimed to have arrived from Iran’s Bandar Abbas port, has been detained by customs officials for the last two and a half weeks. Customs officials had acted on “specific information” on misdeclaration of origin received by the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
A circular issued by the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) on February 17 said one person has been arrested in this regard, and investigation has revealed duty evasion of Rs 50 crore. So far no importer has come forward to identify the consignment.
America, also Chile Walnut
“The entire ship has been detained because of these 46 containers. The boxes full of walnuts have come from China and the exporters have not even changed the Chinese-written packages,” a Mumbai-based trade source said on condition of anonymity.
“This mis-declaration has been happening for years. Walnuts from the US and Chile are entering as Afghan produce to claim zero-duty benefits under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA),” said a trader from north India.
Walnuts from other origins such as America have better kernel yields. From every kilogram of domestic walnut peel, 350 grams of kernels are obtained. In case of America or other countries, the yield is 450-500 grams.
But India currently imposes 100 percent customs duty on walnut imports from domestic producers, especially in Kashmir. Therefore, unscrupulous traders bring walnuts from other countries claiming to be from Afghanistan.
business rivalry
“This time, Customs has taken action because a section of traders have given specific information to the authorities due to rivalry. This is not just the case with walnuts. It happens with betel nut and black cardamom too,” said a North Indian trader.
working style It is here that some traders buy walnuts that may have been imported into one of the Gulf ports. Then, these are shipped to ports such as Bandar Abbas to claim zero-duty importation under SAFTA.
“Similarly, arecanut from other producing countries like China comes to Colombo (Sri Lanka) before being shipped to India to avail SAFTA benefits,” said the north Indian trader.
A South Indian trader said Chinese garlic is also entering India in a similar manner.
Traders said documents related to shipments are submitted manually, and hence, it is easy to “manipulate” the origin of a product.
current home prices
The CIU circular said that to prove their false claims of country of origin, traders create forged transit documents (house bills of lading) and upload them in e-Sanchit, ICES (an e-commerce portal of the Indian Customs Department). Thus, an artificial route of movement of goods is created from ports like Bandar Abbas to other ports like Jebel Ali, especially in the Gulf.
On e-commerce websites, the jumbo variety of Kashmiri walnut is priced at ₹450 per kg and other varieties at around ₹350, while the Californian and Chilean walnuts are priced at ₹560 and ₹700 respectively.
Published on February 20, 2026
