Illicit imports rampant at Birgunj customs

BIRGUNJ, JUN 03 -

At a time when the Ministry of Finance (MoF) is busy with budget preparations, illicit imports through the Birgunj Customs, the largest revenue earner among the country’s customs offices, are on the rise.

On Tuesday, when the police checked a truck ferrying electronic items in Birta, Birgunj, they found that customs duty of only 20 percent of the goods was paid. Earlier on the day, when police took a truck belonging to Pashupati Carriers, they had found goods worth Rs 2.6 million more than what was declared on customs clearance documents.

Interestingly, both of these trucks were cleared by the custom office, clearly suggesting customs officials’ involvement in this illegal practice. Sources say goods having higher custom duty are being cleared at the custom office declaring them as low duty products.

According the Department of Revenue Investigation, Pathlaiya regional office, of the 13 trucks checked by the police, cases of under-valuation were found in 10 trucks.

Police say they have been complaining about the wrongdoings of customs officials, but none of them have been taken action. However, Birgunj Customs Chief Ram Hari Aryal said investigation was underway. “Once proved, action will be taken against them.”

The government is currently executing its customs reforms and modernisation programme and has been providing performance-based incentives to customs officials.

However, these efforts have so far failed. Sources say smugglers have been paying Rs 2.5 million monthly to customs officials and revenue investigation offices.

Sealing method fails

The provision of sealing goods after customs clearance to prevent smuggling has failed to yield positive results. According the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI), Pathlaiya region office, sealed trucks have been found with more goods than those declared in the customs clearance documents. “The sealing method is not working due to the involvement of customs officials,” said a DRI official. “Our inspections have found sealed trucks having under-valued goods or goods worth more than that shown in custom clearance documents,” he said. The office has collected revenue worth Rs 10 million from trucks that have been sealed by customs. Among the 37 trucks inspected by the office, 13 were found carrying goods that were not declared at the customs. “Such anomaly is not possible without the involvement of customs officials,” said an officer. The provision of sealing goods was launched during the tenure of the then Finance Minister Baburam Bhattarai.

Source: The Kathmandu Posr