Traders still unable to bring in goods from China

 Nov. 8

Nepali traders and entrepreneurs are facing prolonged challenges in bringing in goods from China via Rasuwagadhi border point.

The border that was closed for months in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic was partially opened about a month ago but with a provision to pass only five containers in a day.

According to the traders, the closure of the border and quota of number of containers had caused them a huge loss. In normal times, more than 100 containers would pass via Rasuwagadhi border.

Chief of Rasuwagadhi Customs Office Punya Bikram Khadka said that he had received multiple complaints from the entrepreneurs including bribing the customs agents at the Chinese side and his office was trying to resolve the problems. "We will resolve the problems at the earliest after getting information about the situation," he said.

There had been an agreement between Nepali and Chinese side that 12 Chinese customs agents would bring the goods to Nepal on the basis of priority turn by turn. Medicine was accorded the first priority, foods second and construction materials and equipment the third priority.

However, there was no agreement about the charges on the transportation and loading of goods.

Khadka said that the import cycle was disturbed due to the unhealthy competition among the traders and importers.

But traders said that they feel cheated as the Chinese customs agents started demanding about 70,000 RMB just to bring a container to the Nepal side. Due to COVID-19 risk, China has restricted Nepali nationals from entering the Chinese territory. Earlier, the importers had paid about 20,000 RMB (about Rs. 360,000) to transport goods for 24 km in China – from Keyrung to Rasuwagadhi border.

However, the new demand from the agents has soared the cost to more than Rs. 1 million.

Earlier, Nepal Chamber of Commerce had also publicised the issue through the media in Kathmandu, and Nepal-China Chambers of Commerce and Industry had drawn the attention of the governments of both the countries.

Meanwhile, revenue collection at the Rasuwa Customs Office has gone down significantly. The office has collected Rs. 2.40 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year 2020/21. This is just 26.32 per cent of the target set.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 November 2020.