Foreign companies such as Apple that import finished goods or inputs from China to India could be spared the recently imposed 100% physical check of shipments from that country, people familiar with the matter told ET. The heightened scrutiny of Chinese imports, which has led to goods getting stuck at ports and airports, follows border hostilities between the two nations and a move to reduce India’s business and trade ties with its neighbour. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) informally flagged the issue to the finance ministry after the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum raised its concern over the matter. The forum, which represents key US companies in India, has also written to the finance ministry on the issue. “Their representation is being examined,” a government official said. “There is no intention to cause any hardship to industry,” said one of the persons cited above.