Kailali chamber urges strong measures to curb smuggling at Trinagar-Gauriphanta border

Dhangadhi: A team from the Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry has conducted monitoring at the Trinagar-Gauriphanta border checkpoint.

The team visited the checkpoint this morning to assess the implementation status of the provision requiring customs duty on goods worth more than Rs 100 imported through land routes.

During the monitoring, Chamber President Pushkar Raj Ojha said that the number of Nepali shoppers visiting Indian border markets has decreased by 80 to 90 percent. “We also held discussions with the Armed Police and India’s SSB across the border,” Ojha said. “They also reported that the number of people going for shopping has dropped by around 90 percent, except for those traveling for employment purposes.”

Ojha emphasized that strict measures should be taken not only at customs checkpoints but also to control the import of goods taking advantage of the open border. He noted that imposing customs duties alone is not a sustainable solution and stressed the need for policies that promote domestic production.

“If domestic production increases, goods can be supplied to consumers at lower costs,” he said. “It will also create employment and make the country’s economy more dynamic.”

Senior Vice President of the Chamber, Keshavraj Joshi, said the association has welcomed the implementation of customs duties on goods valued above Rs 100. He stated that Nepali traders see this as an opportunity and have been encouraged to provide quality goods to consumers at reasonable prices in a transparent manner.

The Chamber’s team also held discussions with the Kailali Customs Office regarding the control of customs evasion.

The Customs Tariff Act, 2081, mandates that taxes must be paid on goods worth more than Rs 100 imported from India via land routes. This provision has been strictly enforced following the formation of the new government.