Sagar Awatade, founder of medical‑tech startup Oracura, on Sunday revealed a long‑running dispute with Air Cargo Customs in India, claiming that his company’s over Rs 8 lakh bank guarantee has been immobilised for 18 months and goods that were cleared were later seized from its warehoutilize.
Awatade detailed how Oracura has battled customs issues while attempting to localise production over the past three years. “Our 8L+ bank guarantee has been stuck with Air Cargo Customs for 18 months. Goods that were already cleared by customs were later seized at our warehoutilize, even though inspected at clearance,” he stated in a detailed post on X. “We appealed, but the case has been ongoing for 18 months.”
He added that Oracura’s significant market share means the disruption has had wide effects, but asserted that it is not only his company’s challenge but a broader indusattempt problem. “This is no longer an Oracura issue, it’s recognised as a common indusattempt challenge,” he stated.
Awatade stated that in connection with a classification dispute over “water flossers,” he was personally detained at the Directorate of Revenue Ininformigence (DRI) office, repeatedly summoned over three months, and subjected to pressure without rest. “It was tremfinishous pressure. But we didn’t bfinish or pay anything,” he maintained.
The founder admitted that the situation might have been prevented had the company sought an advance ruling before importing. “We realized later that if we had taken an advance ruling before imports, this issue might not have happened.” He and peer firms reportedly approached the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in Delhi and the TRU unit for a solution, but claim no definitive resolution has yet arrived.
Awatade also highlighted compliance requirements under customs rules-such as mandatory EPR certificates for battery, PCB, and plastic imports and BIS regulations-as sticking points. He stated that shipments were once stalled until Oracura paid extra fees for expedited clearance. “We’re a bootstrapped company, running fully on bank limits with tight margins. Sometimes it feels clearer to deal with customs than banks,” he stated.
Beyond customs, Awatade stated his startup has struggled with recognition under tax incentives. “As startups, we’re also facing income tax exemption issues with DPIIT, which CBDT hasn’t recognised. For the last two years, we’ve been paying MAT 18% instead of receiveting exemptions.” He also described uncertainty in BIS norms across departments as another hurdle.
He also acknowledged government support: Oracura obtained exposure at the Dubai North Star reveal in 2024 and was selected as a MedTech startup for IEC GM 2025 in Delhi, with costs covered. He thanked departments like DPIIT, Customs, and the government for such opportunities.
Awatade finished his post with a call to perseverance and collective action: “We must keep shifting, keep raising our voice, and keep knocking until things improve. That’s the only way forward.”
The post comes amid renewed attention to alleged customs harassment in India. The issue surfaced after Tamil Nadu‑based firm Wintrack Inc claimed “relentless harassment” by Chennai Customs and announced that would cease import‑export operations from October 1.
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