Customs revenue hit as importers and exporters halt clearance over MRP

BIRGUNJ, PARSA: Revenue collection at different customs offices, including Birgunj Customs Office, has been affected after importers and exporters stopped participating in goods clearance for the past two days.

Customs clearance was stalled at the Birgunj customs point after non-compliance by importers, who did not fill in declaration forms for the imported goods, and revenue collection at the customs point was likewise affected.

Chief of Birgunj Customs Office, Krishna Prasad Mainali, said the clearance of goods is stalled as importers and exporters have not submitted the declaration forms for imported and exported goods.

The disruption followed an announcement by the Birgunj Customs Office that the maximum retail price (MRP) would be implemented for exportable and importable goods. Recently, the government decided to make the implementation of MRP mandatory at customs points for all types of goods.

There is no issue with customs clearance for petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, and industrial raw materials; for these goods, Rs 310 million in revenue was collected at Birgunj. The Birgunj Customs Office generally collects Rs 500 million to Rs 600 million daily.

Hari Prasad Gautam, President of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries, argued that importers and exporters did not participate in the customs clearance processes because the step to implement MRP at customs points was impractical.

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