'Nepal Customs Apps', which is currently available in Android platform and can be downloaded through DoC's website www.customs.gov.np, can be regarded as a milestone in trade facilitation, according to officials.The app was launched amid a function in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Shishir Dhungana, director general of DoC, said the app will not only help traders as well as general people to get tax-related information and calculate tax amount while bringing goods home while returning from abroad. By using the app, one can get information about taxable and non-taxable goods. Similarly, they can get customs rate by typing the name of goods or their customs codes. They can get rates of customs tax, value added tax, excise duty, and agricultural reform fee applicable at the customs point, according to officials.
"Traders can prepare cost analysis of their import plan without visiting the departments, customs office or customs points or reading different tax related books as they get tax rates at the app itself," said Dhungana.
Representatives of private sector say the launch of app shows that the government offices are focusing on effective service delivery. Pashupati Murarka, president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), thanks DoC for taking initiative to develop the app. "Availability of integrated tax information in smart devices can enhance our efficiency as I can now get tax-related information as well as tax rates in my mobile itself. I don't have to ask my staff to find tax rates," Murarka said, adding that he won't have to be dependent on staff members to calculate tax rates.
Though the app is currently available on Android platform, preparation is underway to make the available in iOS platform within a week, according to DoC officials.
Murarka has suggested to DoC to include tax calculator with foreign exchange rates so that users can calculate tax in their preferable currency. Responding to Murarka, Dhungana said the department will do the needful to make the app more user-friendly.
Laxman Aryal, joint secretary of Ministry of Finance, said imparting trade information alone has weightage of about 16 percent in trade facilitation. "Mobile app is one of the ways to increase people's access to trade information and facilitate trade," he added.
Foreign traders can also take benefit from the app as they can know applicable tax rates of Nepal by staying in their homeland. "They do not have to write emails or make calls to their trading partners or agents anymore," Murarka said, "They can easily get all the tax-related information as well as tax rates in their smart devises."
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