The Nepal government’s decision to impose customs duty on items exceeding NPR 100 from Indian border towns has sparked discontent among stakeholders in Nepal’s border regions. Despite the rule existing for years, recent strict enforcement has led to backlash due to the challenges faced by residents in these areas. The Nepal-India Open Border Interaction Group has urged the government to reconsider the policy, emphasizing the historic ties between the two nations and the need for practical measures to facilitate cross-border movement.
The civil society organization has called for the removal of customs duties on goods over NPR 100, citing the burden on low-income families in border areas. They propose zero customs duty for household items and advocate for well-managed markets in border regions to enhance access to essential goods. Furthermore, they suggest introducing customs-free facilities for religious visits to promote tourism and strengthen interpersonal relationships between the two countries.
Director of the Department of Customs, Kishor Bartaula, explained that the enforcement aims to combat smuggling practices that exploit individuals to evade duties. While the duty on goods above NPR 100 may not significantly impact government revenue, stricter enforcement is anticipated to benefit local traders in Nepal’s border towns.
