KATHMANDU, May 21: The Nepalese Army has cleared 45 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine Resistant Vehicles worth Rs 6 billion from Timure Customs after paying Rs 295 million in customs duty.
These APCs were procured for peacekeeping forces deployed in United Nations missions. The army paid Rs 273.39 million in revenue for the APCs.
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Additionally, the army cleared other items used in APCs from the customs, paying an additional Rs 21.59 million. The decision to purchase 26 APCs, 72 tactical vehicles, and bullets from China was made by the government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The goods, purchased through a contract with a Chinese company, were released from the Timure Customs Office after paying the required revenue. It took about two weeks for the customs clearance of the APCs after arriving at the office.
"The contractor company initially delayed paying the revenue," said an employee of the customs office. Imported goods can be stored in the customs office warehouse for up to 60 days, allowing importers to clear the customs duties at any time within this period. If the customs clearance is not completed within 60 days, the customs office may extend the time or seize the goods as deemed appropriate.
