The agitation has affected revenue collection at the largest customs along the country´s northern frontier.[break]
As per the instruction of the Department of Commerce, Tatopani Customs Office had raised valuation of goods by 10 to 100 percent in line with the current transaction price of goods in the market.
Sindhupalchowk Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has been spearheading the agitation, terming the newly introduced valuation impractical and unscientific. Traders have argued that quality of goods imported from China is not on par with goods imported through other customs points and hence there was a need for differential valuation.
SCCI President Rajendra Shrestha demanded that the government keep valuation of goods imported from China unchanged, as their quality is far lower than the goods imported from other customs points.
Around 40 containers enter Nepal from China via Tatopani customs every day. Revenue mobilization at the customs point hovers around Rs 9 million.
Customs officials said the demand for review in valuation of goods was not justifiable, as the review is overdue for more than a year. “Some arguments of traders may be rational, but we are not in a position to rollback our decision," said Nirmal Hari Adhikari, chief of Tatopani Customs Office.
Meanwhile, talks between agitating traders and customs officials failed to achieve any breakthrough on Monday as well.
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