Some exporters have raised concerns over consignments being held back by Hong Kong and Chinese customs in response to a similar action allegedly being taken by the Indian authorities at the Chennai port, Fieo said on Thursday.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (Fieo) president S.K. Saraf said that some exporters had informed that Hong Kong and Chinese customs were also holding back export consignments from India in retaliation to such action by India.

India’s trade deficit with China stood at $47 billion in April-February 2019.

Saraf urged the commerce ministry to take up the matter with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to see whether any official communication has been sent to Indian customs regarding scrutiny of Chinese consignments here.

“Kindly take it up with CBIC and, if no such instructions have been given, a denial may be issued by CBIC so that the matter may be communicated to our importers in China and Hong Kong to suitably take up with their customs explaining our stand,” he added.

There are reports that customs authorities at Chennai port are conducting extra scrutiny of Chinese consignments.

China accounts for about 14 per cent of India's imports and is a major supplier for sectors like mobiles, telecom, power, plastic toys and critical pharma ingredients.

During April 2019-February 2020, India imported goods worth USD 62.4 billion, while exports to the neighbouring country stood at USD 15.5 billion in the same period.

India has time and again raised concerns over widening trade deficit with China which stood at about USD 47 billion during April-February 2019-20. PTI