Traders halt transactions at Tatopani Customs
SINDHUPALCHOWK, MAY 23 -
In a protest against the hike in valuation of imported goods, traders on Sunday brought transactions in the Tatopani Customs to a complete halt.
Because of the protest, the customs office had to bear heavy loss of revenue. On an average, the office collects Rs 9 million revenue every day. A large number of containers loaded with imported goods worth millions are stranded in the customs office vicinity.
On Friday, the office had decided to increase valuation of entire goods traded through the border. The valuation has been increased by 10 to 150 percent. Following the decision, Sindhupalchowk Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Saturday urged traders to stop transactions through the border.
SCCI President Rajendra Kumar Shrestha said the high valuation of goods is not appropriate, as goods imported through Tatopai are usually brought from Khasa and are cheaper. “Goods imported from Khasa are not high quality compared to those imported from other borders,” he said, demanding that the valuation be done on the basis of transaction price of the goods. The office has increased the valuation of goods including readymade garments, fabrics, electronics, foot ware, ladies bags, tissue paper and utensils, among others.
However, Tatopani Customs chief Nirmal Hari Adhikari said the office increased the valuation as per the direction of the Department of Customs. He added that the valuation was increased based on the prices of these goods in the border and in domestic markets. “If traders do not show the actual price, the valuation is done on the basis of market price ascertained through market inspection.”
However, traders say goods imported from Tatopani are usually made at local level in Khasa and are cheaper compared to those imported from other customs points.
Source: Kantipur
In a protest against the hike in valuation of imported goods, traders on Sunday brought transactions in the Tatopani Customs to a complete halt.
Because of the protest, the customs office had to bear heavy loss of revenue. On an average, the office collects Rs 9 million revenue every day. A large number of containers loaded with imported goods worth millions are stranded in the customs office vicinity.
On Friday, the office had decided to increase valuation of entire goods traded through the border. The valuation has been increased by 10 to 150 percent. Following the decision, Sindhupalchowk Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Saturday urged traders to stop transactions through the border.
SCCI President Rajendra Kumar Shrestha said the high valuation of goods is not appropriate, as goods imported through Tatopai are usually brought from Khasa and are cheaper. “Goods imported from Khasa are not high quality compared to those imported from other borders,” he said, demanding that the valuation be done on the basis of transaction price of the goods. The office has increased the valuation of goods including readymade garments, fabrics, electronics, foot ware, ladies bags, tissue paper and utensils, among others.
However, Tatopani Customs chief Nirmal Hari Adhikari said the office increased the valuation as per the direction of the Department of Customs. He added that the valuation was increased based on the prices of these goods in the border and in domestic markets. “If traders do not show the actual price, the valuation is done on the basis of market price ascertained through market inspection.”
However, traders say goods imported from Tatopani are usually made at local level in Khasa and are cheaper compared to those imported from other customs points.
Source: Kantipur
