Traders Boycott Customs Clearance in Nepal Over MRP Implementation, Halting Revenue Collection

Parsa. Revenue collection has been affected at Birgunj Customs and other customs offices across the country as entrepreneurs and traders are not participating in the customs clearance process.

The Birgunj Customs Office's attempt to implement the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for imported and exported goods has led to importers and exporters boycotting the customs clearance process for the past two days.

Customs clearance has been halted because importers are not engaging in procedural tasks, from filling out forms to making declarations for customs clearance.

Revenue collection has been impacted due to the non-cooperation of entrepreneurs and traders. According to Krishna Prasad Mainali, Chief of the Birgunj Customs Office, clearance has been stopped as importers and exporters are not participating in tasks ranging from filling out forms to making declarations.

The government recently decided to make MRP mandatory for all types of products arriving at customs points.

The department stated that there have been no issues with the customs clearance of petroleum products, vegetables, fruits, and industrial raw materials. Revenue of Rs 31 crore has been collected from these. The Birgunj Customs Office collects revenue of Rs 50 to 60 crore daily.

Meanwhile, Hari Prasad Gautam, President of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that they are not participating in the customs clearance process because MRP is impractical.