In 1985, Mathrubhumi newspaper rocked the Indian Customs Department when it started publishing a series of articles on the malpractices and bribery in places like the Trivandrum International Airport.

The expose created a sensation and the public outrage forced the department take corrective actions, providing a huge relief to passengers coming back from Gulf nations. Their tales of greedy officials ransacking their bags, extorting money and demanding gifts were detailed in the series written by the late G Sekharan Nair.

Forty years later the Indian Customs Department is facing a similar storm. Since October 1, users of Twitter (now known as X) have been posting tales on harassment they faced when they import material into the country.

The barrage started after a small Chennai-based importer, Wintrack, posted that they are shutting down, alleging relentless harassment and bribery by Chennai Customs. This sparked a lot of attention and hundreds of traders, entrepreneurs and citizens started sharing tales of extortion, delays and systemic corruption at different customs check points.

The officials posted a long explanation in reply to Wintrack's post, denying all charges and pointing out the lack of compliance under different rules that led to actions against the firm. But that attracted more derision and outrage.

Shashi Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, was among the first political leaders to react, calling the situation “outrageous and unacceptable”. Investor Mohandas Pai soon amplified the demand, urging Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to intervene decisively.

The outrage has forced the government’s hand. There will be an official inquiry into Wintrack’s case, with a senior officer tasked to review evidence and hear all parties. It is a start, but a single probe is unlikely to fix what many see as an institutionalised problem.

Wintrack’s founder, Prawin Ganeshan, cited 45 days of harassment by Chennai Customs as the main reason for his decision. He claimed Wintrack faced retaliation for exposing bribery demands twice earlier this year.

Their shipment of personal massagers – classified as medical devices but contested as sexual wellness products – was allegedly stalled with arbitrary reclassifications and demands for certifications like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) under battery waste rules.

The result? Crippling demurrage fees and a business pushed to the brink. Their company description on X now reads like a admission of defeat: “Exposed bribery @ Chennai Customs, Faced revenge. Lost business. Corruption won this battle.”

Chennai Customs argue that Wintrack’s troubles stemmed from misdeclarations – undeclared USB cables with batteries lacking EPR certification and non-compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Legal Metrology rules. They insist no bribes were demanded, pointing to hearings and bonding options offered to avoid fees.

Yet, this defence rings hollow against the chorus of voices on X, where users have labelled Customs as India’s “most corrupt department.” From small traders to large importers, the allegations they posted paint a grim picture: bribes dubbed “prasadam” for routine clearances, demands of 10-50% of shipment values, and even personal gifts like books from abroad held hostage unless inflated duties are paid.

One user recounted paying 520 rupees as duty on earphones worth 600 rupees – a transaction they called “normalised theft”. Another shared how 400 ventilators were stuck during Covid due to red tape, contributing to preventable deaths.

The scale of the problem is staggering. Posts on X describe a syndicated system where officers at high-import “wet” ports allegedly pay 50 lakh rupees for postings, sharing profits upward in a well-oiled corruption machine. Small traders face inflated valuations or misapplied BIS requirements, losing thousands on low-value goods, while larger players report demands of up to 50 lakhs to clear shipments. None of these have been independently verified.

After the Mathrubhumi expose 40 years ago, tales of passenger harassment at Kerala airports is virtually unknown. But the posts from travellers who landed in other places tell a different story. They talk of anonymous officials in civilian clothes bullying passengers for payoffs, stealing of chocolates and liquor and making unreasonable demands.

The government’s swift move to order a high-level inquiry is a welcome step, but the root issue lies deeper: a 1962 regulatory framework, amended several times yet failing to keep pace with modern trade. It has created a swamp of overlapping, confusingly worded rules where corruption thrives.

The Customs regulations need a complete overhaul, not more amendments piling complexity on confusion. Simplifying regulations, fully digitising processes and enforcing strict accountability are urgent.

Yet, the blame game isn’t one-sided. Some people argue that importers contribute to the mess through evasion tactics – misclassifying goods or using shady clearing agents to skirt duties. Customs officials, they say, are merely enforcing rules to protect revenue and standards.

While there’s truth to the need for compliance, this argument overlooks a major flaw. When even compliant businesses must pay to avoid delays, and when certifications like EPR or BIS are weaponised to extract bribes, the system itself appears designed to hinder rather than facilitate.

Kerala has major stake in this as when Vizhinjam port becomes full-fledged, speedy customs clearance will become crucial if the country’s only transshipment port has to be competitive as other such ports like Singapore, Colombo and Dubai.

India’s ambition to be a 5 trillion dollar economy hinges on trade, yet some officials risk choking the very arteries of commerce. The stories pouring out – whisky pilfered from ships, small businesses bankrupted by delays, and entrepreneurs like Wintrack’s founder giving up – aren’t just anecdotes; they’re warning signs.

The government must go beyond inquiries to simplify regulations, digitise processes fully and enforce strict accountability. Corruption in Customs isn’t just about the cost of doing business; it’s a road block to India’s future.