Customs start clearing API shipments from China

New Delhi Indian customs on Tuesday began clearing Chinese origin shipments of active pharmaceutical ingredients, relaxing further the mandatory 100% physical check for imports from China, people familiar with the development said. Customs authorities had from June 22 midnight stalled clearances of Chinese origin shipments following an alert from intelligence agencies. Goods were being cleared only after 100% physical examination at sea ports, airports and customs freight stations. Customs authorities on Monday made some concessions for importers from third countries such as the US and South Korea that rely on imports from China following changes in the system-based alert. From Tuesday afternoon, customs allowed API imports as well to be cleared following representations from the industry, a person familiar with the development said.