KATHMANDU: Even as the government had set a target of Rs 36 billion in customs from mid-March to mid-April, it could collect only Rs 12 billion — about 33 percent of the targeted amount.

The Department of Customs (DoC) said that they could collect only 33 percent of the targeted amount as business activities – particularly export and import – has slowed down due to the lockdown enforced to combat the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The DoC could collect a meager Rs 2 billion after the lockdown started in March. Stuff such as petroleum products, vegetables, fruits and medicines – having a nominal customs fee — have been imported during the lockdown.