Commerce Ministry Probes Amazon For Selling 'Made In Pakistan' Products Amid Trade Ban

Products made in Pakistan are still available on the online platform Amazon despite a ban clamped by the Union commerce ministry.  On Monday, the FPJ accessed the U.S. online platform's website and found that several products (see fotos below) made in Pakistan are freely available.

The commerce ministry is scrutinising Amazon India and its global chief executive officer for selling banned ‘Made In Pakistan’ products, violating India’s trade ban with Pakistan. Yet Pakistani products like kaajal, eyeliner, lipstick, make up foundation et al are still available. Even coffee mugs with the Pakistan flag printed on them are for sale.

When The Free Press Journal independently checked the e-commerce giant, it was revealed to be selling multiple merchandise with Pakistan’s flag printed on it as well as products manufactured in Pakistan.

The 'Made In Pakistan' products still available on Amazon for Indian Consumers

On Monday, the foreign trade (South Asia) division under the commerce ministry directed the director general of foreign trade (DGFT) to examine the allegations against Amazon India for selling Pakistan manufactured products. This follows a complaint filed by the Maharashtra vice- president of Bharatiya Janata Party’s Uttar Bharatiya Morcha Nilotpal Mrinal.

The 'Made In Pakistan' products still available on Amazon for Indian Consumers

According to the complaint addressed to the external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, Amazon India allows listing of products manufactured in Pakistan even after India imposed a ban on all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan due to national interest and security concerns. He also purchased two cosmetic products from the e-commerce platform, including a make-up kit and beauty cream, and shared the purchase invoices along with the complaint.

He requested an immediate FIR in the matter, investigation of Amazon India’s local and global management along with seizure of all evidence related to the transactions of such products. He also urged the minister for a coordinated action between multiple government departments to investigate the import routes and financial flows along with a preventive direction to Amazon India to take down such listings and issue a public apology.

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“Despite the ban, Amazon India has allowed listings of products that are reportedly manufactured in Pakistan. This act is not only a gross violation of national policy and disrespect to government directives but also raises serious concerns of economic and cyber-crime, smuggling and willful misconduct by a commercial entity,” Mrinal said in the complaint.

While most of these products are marked as Pakistan-manufactured in the details of the country of origin, many of the products suspected to be manufactured in the neighbouring country did not reveal the country of origin details. These products still continue to be available on sale on Amazon India’s website as well as application even after the Indian government banned trade and imports from Pakistan.