Traders said goods like readymade garments, shoes and sandals, and electronics items have already reached godowns in Khasa. And convey of containers ferrying them to Nepal can be seen moving downhill in a serpentine queue all along the 8-km Khasa-Liping (at Tatopani border) route. [break]
Yards at Tatopani customs are filled with containers. “Some 55 containers of Chinese goods are leaving for Kathmandu every day since the last few days, and this number is expected to rise in the days to come,” said Nirmal Hari Adhikari, chief of Tatopani Customs Office.
The inflow of containers in large number has forced the officials to work even on Saturdays and other public holidays. Major importers have stationed themselves at Tatopani in order to ensure their consignments are promptly cleared through the customs.
On request of the traders, staff of Bank of Kathmandu, Nepal Bangladesh Bank and Everest Bank too are working seven days a week to facilitate the festive imports.
“Goods have started arriving just on time. This year, the customers will not face any short supply of clothes and other commodities,” said Rajendra Kumar Shrestha, president of Sindhupalchowk Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He added that the Chinese suppliers too have cooperated with the traders to make sure that consignments reach their destinations on time. “The Chinese authority has shortened the holiday of Moon Light Festival to just three days from regular eight days and are supporting us well,” Shrestha stated.
Owing to lower pricing, Nepalis in general prefer Chinese products to meet their festive clothing, shoes and other requirements.
Unlike last year, transporters said, they have not faced any road obstructions or damages along the Araniko Highway this year. As a result, containers are smoothly ferrying the goods to Kathmandu, they added.
In a bid to facilitate the movement of containers, Chinese Customs Authority is presently clearing 100 containers through its customs to Nepal on every alternate day. Previously, they used to clear just around 20-25 containers a day.
“This became possible after border security meeting held between Nepali and Chinese officials a couple of weeks ago committed to create more favorable trade environment,” said Adhikari.
During the meeting, the Nepali side had informed the Chinese authority that slowed clearance of containers could affect Nepalis during Dashain festival. The Chinese delegation had responded positively to Nepal´s request, committing to speed up customs clearance.
Goods expensive by 20%
The entry of goods in massive scale assures Nepalis of adequate supply. However, Nepalis will find those goods being 20 percent expensive compared to last year.
“That is because the prices of Chinese goods have become dearer by 20 percent owing to devaluation of Nepali currency at the time of order placement, rise in transportation cost and upward revision of customs valuation,” said Adhikari.
This is certain to put extra burden on consumers.
Last year, during this season, a US dollar was exchanged at Rs 72, whereas it presently hovers at around Rs 84. The exchange rate of Chinese Yuan too has gone up to around Rs 14 from Rs 11 of the same period last year.
“Transportation fare for ferrying goods along the 126-kilometer Kathmandu-Khasa route too has risen to Rs 90,000 from Rs 70,000 of last year,” said Arjun Sapkota, an importer, adding that the goods have become expensive in China itself.
Though traders and officials expressed happiness over smooth operations along the Nepal-China border, customs officials said the actual volume of import entering Nepal so far has remained lesser than last year.
“It is almost half of what we recorded last year,” said Adhikari. He, however, expressed optimism over improvement of situation in the days to come. With the increase in imports, the officials are hopeful of mobilizing more revenue this month.
The customs office has set a target to mobilize revenue worth Rs 450 million this month, ending on October 16. So far, it has already mobilized Rs 370 million.
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