DoC plans to bring e-customs process

KATHMANDU, NOV 8: 

The Department of Customs (DoC) is preparing a master plan for e-customs with an aim to introduce electronic transaction at all customs offices within five years. 

The master plan is expected to upgrade Nepal’s customs procedure so that it is able to meet international requirements, said deputy director general at the department Laxman Aryal, adding that Information and Technology based customs clearance is the best way to reduce customs related fraud. 

It has already been proved that the country cannot control customs related fraud unless the government introduces a paperless working environment, according to him. 

An online entry system will help the revenue administration and customs administration track wrongdoings and control fraud, he added. 

Aryal further said that the department will appoint an independent consultant to recommend the best policy that could be incorporated in the master plan.

The government should seriously reform customs related policy, structure 

of the department, and the capacity of human resources to make the customs administration more effective, he said. 

Introduction of e-customs will help the government reform the existing system and facilitate trade, he claimed.

Under-invoicing and avoidance of tax compliances have been rampant due to the manual entry system at customs points and weak market monitoring by the tax administration. 

Similarly, the tax administration has been failing to curb revenue leakage in internal transportation of cargo despite frequent attempts. 

Smuggling and under-invoicing can easily be tracked once the department introduces an online system at customs points, Aryal informed.

Source: THT