Customs Clearance Resumes as Government Enforces Mandatory MRP Declaration on Imported Goods, Freight Trucks Begin to Move

Following the government’s strict enforcement of mandatory Maximum Retail Price (MRP) declaration at customs points for imported goods, customs clearance procedures have resumed. The Customs Department has allowed importers to self-declare the MRP to facilitate immediate clearance and issued a directive to implement this within three months. As customs clearance of previously held goods resumed, revenue collection surged by NPR 159 crore in a single day.

April 7, Kathmandu: The uncertainty and stagnation at major trade border points nationwide caused by the government’s decision to mandate MRP declaration at customs have been temporarily resolved. Customs clearance processes, which had been halted due to MRP-related disputes, restarted yesterday, Wednesday. Following an agreement between the Customs Department and business communities, customs clearance of goods resumed immediately. The Customs Department has opened a channel for goods to be brought in by requiring importers to self-declare the MRP.

Under the agreement, businesses must declare the MRP of imported items to customs. Importers are permitted to affix MRP labels at their own warehouses before distributing goods in the market. This process, which mandates transparent pricing when releasing products to the market, is moving forward under the government’s new regulations. Since Wednesday, clearance activities have rapidly resumed at key entry points such as Birgunj and Biratnagar. According to Customs Department Director General Shyam Prasad Bhandari, all subordinate customs offices were directed on Wednesday to clear goods based on the importers’ self-declared MRP.

“We have instructed all customs offices to process goods previously held at customs points upon MRP self-declaration,” he said. “The MRP issue is temporarily resolved, and there is a three-month period to fully implement declaration at border points.” The Customs Department has reported a significant increase in revenue collection following the resumption of customs clearance. According to the department, NPR 159 crore was collected at customs points in a single day yesterday. This arrangement is effective for three months, during which further clarity and possible legal or budgetary decisions are expected to be made.