Over 1,400 trucks remain stranded at Raxaul after Birgunj customs halt over MRP rule

BIRGUNJ: More than 1,400 goods-laden trucks remain stranded near the Indian border at Raxaul after a week-long halt to customs clearance at the Birgunj Customs Office.

The backlog followed a dispute over a government pricing rule. On April 8, the authorities issued a notice making the implementation of the maximum retail price (MRP) mandatory for imported goods arriving at customs points. Since the rule took effect, clearance of all imported items except petroleum products, fruit and vegetables, and industrial raw materials has been disrupted.

Customs officials said the process stalled when importers refused to comply with the new procedural requirements, leaving vehicles queued outside the customs point. Udaya Singh Bista, information officer at the Birgunj Customs Office, said the backlog had grown rapidly because importers had halted the clearance process and that almost 200 laden vehicles normally enter Nepal through Birgunj each day.

“We are ready for the customs clearance process, but it has been paused as importers did not cooperate with the procedural steps. The Department of Customs is coordinating. We expect this issue to be resolved soon,” Bista said.

Hari Prasad Gautam, president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries, urged swift coordination to resolve the impasse, warning that a prolonged disruption would harm both the state and the business community.

Officials said the halt is also affecting government revenue. On average, the Birgunj Customs Office collects Rs 500–600 million in revenue per day, underscoring the economic stakes if the situation continues.

(With inputs from RSS)