KATHMANDU: Vehicle imports through the Birgunj customs point have declined significantly during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.
According to data from the Birgunj Customs Office, only 735 fuel-powered jeeps, cars, and vans—worth Rs 1.53 billion—were imported during this period. This marks a steep fall compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, when 1,267 such vehicles worth Rs 2.07 billion were imported.
Chief Customs Administrator Deepak Lamichhane said that imports of vehicles are increasingly being routed through other border points rather than Birgunj.
With the decrease in imports of fuel-powered four-wheelers, revenue collection from this segment has also dropped. The customs office collected Rs 4.03 billion in revenue from these vehicles in the current fiscal year, down from Rs 4.39 billion in the corresponding period last year.
The number of imported trucks and mini-trucks also saw a sharp decline. Only 231 units worth Rs 530 million entered through Birgunj in the first 10 months of the fiscal year, compared to 764 units worth Rs 2.12 billion in the same period last year.
Electric vehicle imports also fell considerably. Only 174 electric jeeps, cars, and vans worth Rs 420 million were imported in the review period, down from 448 units worth Rs 950 million in the same period a year ago.
Despite the decline in specific segments, the total value of all types of small and large vehicles imported through Birgunj Customs in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year stood at Rs 18.52 billion. The customs office collected Rs 15.24 billion in revenue from these imports.
In comparison, during the same period last fiscal year, the office recorded imports of 2.7 million small and large vehicles worth Rs 17.05 billion, generating Rs 13.44 billion in revenue.
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