Introduction: Offences and penalties under import provisions MCQs With Answer is a focused review for B. Pharm students covering import compliance, regulatory offences, and enforcement actions under drug import laws. This concise guide explains key concepts such as import licensing, CDSCO and Customs roles, misbranding/adulteration during import, smuggling, seizure, confiscation, fines, imprisonment, license suspension, and quality checks. It emphasizes documentation (bill of entry, invoice, certificate of analysis), sample testing, and appeal routes to help pharmacy graduates recognize legal risks in international pharmaceutical trade. Master these keywords and principles to ensure safe, lawful import practices. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which authority principally issues import licenses for pharmaceutical products in India?
- State Drug Inspector
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
- Customs Department
- Ministry of Commerce
Correct Answer: Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
Q2. Which primary legislation governs import of drugs and related offences in India?
- Customs Act
- Drugs and Cosmetics Act
- Food Safety and Standards Act
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act
Correct Answer: Drugs and Cosmetics Act
Q3. Importing a new drug without prior approval typically results in which enforcement action?
- Only a warning letter
- Seizure of consignment and prosecution with fine and imprisonment
- Automatic marketing approval
- Free distribution
Correct Answer: Seizure of consignment and prosecution with fine and imprisonment
Q4. Smuggling of pharmaceutical products across the border is primarily an offence under which law?
- Income Tax Act
- Customs Act
- Companies Act
- Patent Act
Correct Answer: Customs Act
Q5. False declaration of drug composition or value at import customs can lead to:
- Faster clearance
- No action
- Seizure, penalty and criminal prosecution
- Automatic refund of duties
Correct Answer: Seizure, penalty and criminal prosecution
Q6. If an imported drug is found adulterated on testing, the regulator may order:
- Recall, prosecution and prohibition of sale
- Increase in import tariff
- Granting of license to distribute
- Export back without any procedure
Correct Answer: Recall, prosecution and prohibition of sale
Q7. Which agencies are commonly involved in enforcement of import offences for pharmaceuticals?
- Drug regulatory authorities and Customs officials
- Forest Department only
- Municipal Corporation only
- Traffic Police
Correct Answer: Drug regulatory authorities and Customs officials
Q8. What administrative sanction can be applied to an importer who repeatedly violates import conditions?
- Issuance of export license
- Suspension or cancellation of import license
- Grant of tax exemptions
- Automatic renewal of license
Correct Answer: Suspension or cancellation of import license
Q9. Importing clinical trial supplies without permission may attract which consequence?
- Seizure of materials and legal action against importer
- Approval of clinical trial automatically
- Compulsory insurance for trial subjects
- No consequence if quantity is small
Correct Answer: Seizure of materials and legal action against importer
Q10. Violations of import provisions for drugs are generally pursued through which type of legal process?
- Criminal prosecution
- Only civil mediation
- Sports arbitration
- No legal process
Correct Answer: Criminal prosecution
Q11. When a consignment is seized by Customs for suspected offence, an importer can normally appeal to:
- Customs appellate authority or tribunal
- Local grocery store
- International Criminal Court
- Random social media forum
Correct Answer: Customs appellate authority or tribunal
Q12. Importing counterfeit or falsified medicines typically results in which penalty?
- Imprisonment and heavy fines
- Honorary certificate
- Reduced testing
- Free marketing rights
Correct Answer: Imprisonment and heavy fines
Q13. Which document is essential for customs clearance of imported pharmaceutical consignments?
- Bill of entry
- Employee payslip
- Traffic challan
- Local telephone bill
Correct Answer: Bill of entry
Q14. Who holds primary responsibility for compliance with import provisions at the point of entry?
- Importer of record
- End consumer
- Random courier person
- Neighborhood watch
Correct Answer: Importer of record
Q15. Which preventive measure reduces the risk of import offences related to product quality?
- Pre-shipment inspection and certificate of analysis
- Ignoring labels
- Avoiding documentation
- Shipping without temperature control
Correct Answer: Pre-shipment inspection and certificate of analysis
Q16. Import of Schedule X or restricted drugs generally requires:
- No documentation
- Special import permission and strict records
- Only verbal consent
- Post-import notification only
Correct Answer: Special import permission and strict records
Q17. Failure to produce required import documents on demand may result in:
- Detention of goods and penalty
- Immediate approval
- Reduction of duties
- Free storage for life
Correct Answer: Detention of goods and penalty
Q18. What is a “parallel import” in the pharmaceutical context?
- Importing products through unauthorized channels without manufacturer consent
- Export to the same manufacturer
- Import of agricultural produce only
- Manufacturing within the country
Correct Answer: Importing products through unauthorized channels without manufacturer consent
Q19. How does “seizure” differ from “confiscation” regarding imported goods?
- Seizure is temporary; confiscation is permanent forfeiture
- Seizure is permanent; confiscation is temporary
- They are identical in every legal sense
- Neither is applicable to pharmaceuticals
Correct Answer: Seizure is temporary; confiscation is permanent forfeiture
Q20. Importing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) without proper licence can lead to:
- Revocation of licence and criminal prosecution
- Tax rebate
- Guaranteed market access
- No action if labeled
Correct Answer: Revocation of licence and criminal prosecution
Q21. Which is commonly used electronic platform for customs filing and clearance of imports?
- ICEGATE or equivalent customs e‑portal
- Local social media app
- Handwritten ledger only
- Telephone call to the driver
Correct Answer: ICEGATE or equivalent customs e‑portal
Q22. Misbranding in imported pharmaceuticals can attract which regulatory action?
- Imprisonment, fines, and prohibition of sale
- Complimentary promotion
- Automatic patent grant
- International award
Correct Answer: Imprisonment, fines, and prohibition of sale
Q23. For offences specifically related to import of drugs, which government primarily initiates enforcement?
- Central drug regulatory authority in coordination with Customs
- Local neighborhood committee
- Sports council
- Municipal sanitation only
Correct Answer: Central drug regulatory authority in coordination with Customs
Q24. Importation of substances banned for human use will normally result in:
- Confiscation and criminal proceedings
- Free distribution to hospitals
- Discounted duty rates
- Automatic market entry
Correct Answer: Confiscation and criminal proceedings
Q25. A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) accompanying an imported drug batch primarily documents:
- Quality and test results from the manufacturer
- The importer’s bank details
- Weather during shipment
- Retail pricing
Correct Answer: Quality and test results from the manufacturer
Q26. Misclassification of imported pharma goods under incorrect HS code may lead to:
- Customs penalty and reassessment of duties
- Faster release without checks
- Exemption from all rules
- Automatic classification by importer
Correct Answer: Customs penalty and reassessment of duties
Q27. Importing drugs without labels in the official language or required languages can cause:
- Rejection, detention or destruction of the consignment
- Global marketing rights
- Immediate retail sale
- Automatic clinical approval
Correct Answer: Rejection, detention or destruction of the consignment
Q28. Which action is frequently used to dispose of seized illegal pharmaceutical consignments?
- Confiscation and authorized destruction under supervision
- Distribution free to public
- Selling on retail shelves
- Donating to unrelated companies
Correct Answer: Confiscation and authorized destruction under supervision
Q29. An importer wishing to contest a penalty imposed by Customs should normally:
- File an appeal with the designated customs appellate authority within prescribed time
- Ignore the notice
- Publicize the case on social media only
- Ship more consignments immediately
Correct Answer: File an appeal with the designated customs appellate authority within prescribed time
Q30. Best practice to avoid import offences in pharmaceutical trade includes:
- Ensuring proper licenses, accurate documentation, quality certificates and regulatory compliance
- Deliberately under‑declaring product value
- Altering labels post‑arrival
- Avoiding any record keeping
Correct Answer: Ensuring proper licenses, accurate documentation, quality certificates and regulatory compliance
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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