DRI detects Rs 4,389 crore customs duty evasion by Oppo India

The directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has detected Customs duty evasion of around Rs 4,389 crore by mobile company Oppo India. During the course of an investigation, the DRI conducted searches at the office premises of Oppo India and the residences of its key management employees. The searches led to the recovery of incriminating evidence indicating wilful misdeclaration in the description of certain items imported by Oppo India for use in the manufacture of mobile phones. This mis-declaration resulted in wrongful availment of ineligible duty exemption benefits by Oppo India amounting to around three thousand crore rupees.  The DRI questioned senior management employees and domestic suppliers of the company and others who in their voluntary statements accepted the submission of wrongful description before the Customs Authorities at the time of import. 
After completion of the investigation, a show-cause notice has been issued to Oppo India demanding Customs duty amounting to Rs 4,389 crore  The said Notice also proposes relevant penalties on Oppo India, its employees, and Oppo China. Oppo India is engaged in the business of manufacturing, assembling, wholesale trading, distribution of mobile handsets and accessories thereof, across India. Oppo India deals in various brands of mobile phones, including Oppo, OnePlus and Realme. A sum of Rs 450 crore has been voluntarily deposited by Oppo India, as partial differential Customs duty short paid by them.