Traders to disclose MRP of six more import goods

KATHMANDU:

Traders may soon be obliged to disclose the maximum retail price (MRP) of additional six import goods at the customs points, while the Department of Customs (DoC) has said that it is all set to enforce MRP on biscuits, soft drinks, chocolates/candies, all kinds of fast food, carpets and paints.

The officials at DoC, however, said that the date to implement the move is yet to be finalised.

The DoC is also mulling over expanding the MRP net on the import of 14 goods of daily use in this fiscal 2014-15, according to Surya Prasad Acharya, director general of DOC.

“We are in consultation with traders to finalise the list of additional goods, and once that’s done, we’ll gradually enforce it.”

MRP has been taken as a tool to keep price uniformity in the domestic market and is intended to ultimately facilitate consumers. It is reported that traders can fix the MRP with consent from customs officers, including the profit margin for traders and suppliers as well.

“After enforcement, traders won’t be able to jack up the cost of goods and consequently the profit because in doing so, they will have to pay more tariff at customs. Moreover, it will minimise the chances of under invoicing in imports as they will be compelled to disclose market rates,” Acharya stated.

Earlier, DoC had enforced MRP on 12 import goods namely, all types of televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, energy drinks and alcohol, refined marble/ granite/tiles, cooking range, kitchen chimney, digital cameras, video cameras and vehicles in 2012.

“Now there is hardly any price difference on the already MRP disclosed goods in the market,” Acharya claimed, adding, “MRP is basically to protect the rights of the consumers.”

Consumer rights forums have long been complaining about the wide difference in the price of goods declared at customs points and in the market and have been demanding for effective market monitoring to check the reality of customs declaration and market price.

“The system of disclosing MRP at the customs point will not only benefit consumers, but also prevent under invoicing of imported goods. This, in turn, will ultimately increase customs revenue,” said Jyoti Baniya, general secretary of Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights, further informing that the government has, however, not fixed MRP on any goods after 2012.

Source: THT