Kathmandu, September 21

Traders will have to compulsorily use sealed containers to ferry goods from major customs points to their warehouses very soon, as Department of Customs (DoC) is preparing to introduce mandatory provision of sealed containers from Mangsir 1 (November 17).

The DoC will implement the mandatory provision of sealed containers at the major customs points, namely, Mechi, Birgunj, Birgunj dry port, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Krishnanagar, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi and Rasuwagadhi. Such provision has already been initiated at Tatopani customs point.

As per Deputy Director General of DoC, Damodar Regmi, this system is being enforced with an aim to facilitate traders. “With this provision, the transporters won’t have to face checking and other hassles from security and the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) officials along the route,” said Regmi, adding, “Once the container moves from the customs point, the DoC seal can be opened only at the warehouse of the respective firms.”

DoC also said that the system will be instrumental in controlling unauthorised trade. “When goods are ferried in open truck containers, there are high chances of smuggled goods also being picked up along the way and transported to the

respective destination,” said Regmi, “We can avoid all these ill-practices through sealed containers.”

As gold smugglers have been found to be using loaded trucks to smuggle the precious yellow metal, the government is planning to initiate mandatory provision of sealed containers to control such illegal trade.

To introduce the system, government has offered 50 per cent off in customs duty to import required containers. Recently, the DoC has also offered discount in vehicle tax of up to Rs 50,000 to convert already imported trucks into containers.

Issuing a notice, DoC has said the truck owners can enjoy vehicle tax exemption for four years if they convert their trucks into containers. The offer is valid only for the trucks that have not exceeded 10 years of operation. The DoC expects at least 3,000 trucks to be converted into containers.

After the enforcement of sealed containers, the DoC will introduce e-seal in the second phase. The software-based system will give prompt information to the Customs Offices if the seal is opened along the route instead of upon reaching respective destination.