In pursuance of specific intelligence regarding large scale smuggling of sub-standard, poor quality Chinese make firecrackers by way of concealment and mis-declaration, strict surveillance was maintained in the local markets. Import of fire crackers in India is restricted in terms of Foreign Trade Policy by Ministry of Commerce. Import of firecrackers is allowed against a license issued by the Ministry of Commerce. The Ministry of Commerce has not issued any license in this regard, so far to any importer. Besides harming the domestic industry, fireworks of foreign origin are hazardous in nature and jeopardize public safety and health.

Accordingly, in a country wide operation undertaken on 28.10.2015 to detect and seize the offending goods, the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence raided more than 100 godowns and retail outlets in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Trichy, Vijawada, Madurai, Ludhiana etc. During the course of operation, various types of Chinese make firecrackers have been recovered having total value of more than ₹ 2 Crore. The recovered Chinese make firecrackers have been seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigations are in progress.

Import licensing requirement enforced: authorities seized unauthorised Chinese firecrackers to curb smuggling and protect public safety. Import of firecrackers is subject to a licensing requirement under the Foreign Trade Policy and no import licenses have been issued; enforcement authorities, acting on intelligence of concealment and mis declaration, conducted coordinated raids on over one hundred premises on 28 October 2015, recovered and seized various Chinese made firecrackers under the Customs Act, 1962, and have ongoing investigations to prevent smuggling of substandard, hazardous goods.