It's an industry-wide issue: Oppo on Customs duty evasion charge

Responding to the allegation of evading Customs duty amounting to over Rs 4,000 crore, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Oppo said that it's an industry-wide issue many corporates are working on.

Chinese smartphone-maker Oppo has responded to the allegation of evading Customs duty amounting to over Rs 4,000 crore saying that it's an industry-wide issue many corporates are working on. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had earlier alleged that during their investigation of Oppo Mobiles India Private Limited, a subsidiary of the China-based Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corporation Ltd, they detected Customs duty evasion of around Rs 4,389 crore.

"We have a different view on the charges mentioned in the SCN. We believe it's an industry-wide issue many corporates are working on. OPPO India is reviewing the SCN received from DRI, and we are going to reply the notice, presenting our side, and will be working further with the related government departments. OPPO India is a responsible corporate and believes in prudent corporate governance framework. OPPO India will take appropriate steps as may be needed in this regard including any remedies provided under the law,” Oppos said in a statement.

According to DRI officials, during searches at the official premises of Oppo India offices and residences of its key management employees, they recovered “incriminating evidence indicating wilful misdeclaration in the description of certain items imported by Oppo India for use in the manufacture of mobile phones”.

Senior management employees and domestic suppliers of Oppo India were questioned by the DRI. They purportedly admitted to having submitted wrongful descriptions to the Customs Authorities at the time of importing equipment.