A considerable number of the pharma trading companies based in the western region are opting Chennai sea port to import their consignments containing chemicals or drugs especially from China, rather than shipping the materials directly to the Mumbai sea port, it is learnt.

A dozen trading companies based in western region including Mumbai, have been importing drug products through the Chennai sea port in the past few months, according to a regulatory official in Mumbai. Even though the number of companies opting for Chennai sea port for imports has come down of late, at least three Mumbai-based companies have imported their products through Chennai port recently.

The importers would be finding it easy to pass through the customs filters in Chennai port whereas the Mumbai customs office is more vigilant and strict in passing chemical consignments without informing the drug regulatory officials, says an official from Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), West Zone.

There were instances noticed in Chennai port, where the customs officials passed the material without informing the zonal drug regulatory office. The customs officials are accepting the declaration of importer - that the consignment is a non drug item – without verifying and referring the matter to the CDSCO, South Zone, the official said.

In Mumbai port office, the customs officials usually scrutinize all the documents and would report to the CDSCO zonal office before clearing a consignment of chemicals. “May be the importers are finding it tough in Mumbai and easier in Chennai,” said another official. The CDSCO top officials in South Zone were not available for comment.

When Pharmabiz contacted a trader, who had recently imported a consignment through Chennai port, the company refused to comment on the sudden interest of trading firms in Chennai port for imports.

In mid-November, the CDSCO, West Zone conducted a raid in the Mumbai-based Sheetal Pharma, which has been allegedly importing bulk drug albendazole at Chennai Port and clearing it from Chennai Customs as chemical/non drug item and the relevant bills of entry are not routed through Assistant Drugs Controller India, Chennai Port and no clearances obtained from ADC, Chennai Port.

By mid 2009, thee consignments worth around Rs 76 lakh imported in the names of three trading firms, J B Khokhani and Company and Sheetal Pharma based in Mumbai and Envee Drugs Pvt Ltd based at Kheda, Gujarat, were reportedly seized at Chennai Port tracing various issues.