BIRJUNG: The Birgunj Customs Office in the first two months of the current fiscal year beginning on mid-July failed to meet the revenue collection target.

The office had set the target of colleting the revenue of Rs 43.03 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year, but the achievement is just 90.99 percent or Rs 39.15 billion.

In this backdrop, security along the customs point has been increased to prevent the potential revenue leakage due to smuggling of goods.

Office Chief Bishnu Prasad Gyawali said the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police are guarding the border to control the potential imports and exports of goods unlawfully.

APF personnel have been stationed on the frontlines, with Nepal Police forming a secondary security cordon.

Commonly smuggled goods include premium quality readymade garments, fabrics, curtains, footwear, bed sheets, eggs, chicks, and dried fish. Additionally, mobile phones, hardware supplies, kitchenware, bathroom fittings, and painting materials are frequently brought in from Indian markets by evading taxes. Other goods reportedly smuggled include bicycles, motorcycle tires and tubes, electrical appliances, and various motor parts.

Hari Prasad Sharma, Head of the Revenue Investigation Office in Pathlaiya, expressed concern over a rising trend of goods being imported without proper documentation or invoices. In some instances, Indian citizens have misused the citizenship documents of economically vulnerable Nepali citizens to establish firms that facilitate cross-border smuggling.

Unlawful trade activities are particularly rampant in areas such as Alau, Amarpatti, Bhiswa, Sirsiya, and Janakitole in Parsa. Smugglers often use deceptive practices such as under-declaring goods’ value, price and quantity at customs.

Despite these challenges, District Police Office’s information officer Kishor Lamsal stated that effective countermeasures are being implemented to control the goods smuggling.