DRI seizes ₹5 crore worth of Chinese firecrackers falsely declared at Mundra Port

In a major operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted a large consignment of firecrackers worth around ₹5 crore at Mundra Port, unearthing a sophisticated racket attempting to bypass import restrictions.

The seizure was made under ‘Operation Fire Trail’, after DRI officials halted and examined a 40-ft container arriving from China. According to the import documents, the cargo had been falsely declared as ‘water glasses’ and ‘flower vases’.

However, an inspection revealed that the consignment contained a massive stock of Chinese firecrackers cleverly concealed within the shipment. Officials recovered over 30,000 units of Chinese fireworks.

In October 2025, similar attempts were thwarted at the Mumbai and Tuticorin ports, where large consignments of Chinese firecrackers were intercepted in two separate operations.

The import of Chinese firecrackers is strictly prohibited in India, and valid licences are mandatory for any form of import. 

In this case, the importer had no authorised documentation.

Consequently, on November 15, the DRI seized both the illicit firecrackers and the misdeclared cargo under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, with the seized goods valued at ₹5 crore.