June 22: 500 containers with goods including garden peas, dates, pepper and beetle nuts, which were imported unauthorised, are stuck at the Birgunj Dry port. The importers of the goods have not taken permission from Food Technology and Quality Control Department (FTQCD) and the containers having the items have been held at the port for last one month.

On March 29, the government announced ban on import of dry fruits and other expensive edible items to avoid possible depletion of the country’s foreign currency reserve with the Covid-19. However, the imports of such items under DAP, CAD, draft and TT systems, that had already moved ahead prior to March 29, have been allowed. It is also mandatory for importers to obtain FTQCD approval to import goods under such arrangements.

According to Umesh Shrestha, chief customs administrator of Dry Port Customs Office, the clearance of the containers was stopped though the importers started the process to import the goods started before March 29. “It was found that they had not obtained permission from FTQCD,” Shrestha told New Business Age.

Almost all goods imported from third countries enter Nepal via the Birgunj Dry Port. According to the Customs Office, the clearance of consignments under DAP have been halted. After importers receive the goods, payments of consignment from Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports are carried out at the Birgunj Dry Port.

As the containers have been lying at the yard for many days, Himalayan Terminal is preparing to move the containers to the warehouse. According to the port authority, most of the containers held at the port are carrying dry peas.    

As per existing arrangements, the customs office can seize goods if found imported illegally. A few days ago, the office had seized a container of carrying beetle nuts. According to a Birjung-based importer, exporters of the goods have increased inquiry about payment of the goods after the dry port authority denied clearance of the containers. “Additional 500-700 containers are stuck at the Indian ports. As the clearance processes are not taking place, we are confused about bringing more containers here,” he said.

The government banned the import of dry fruits and some other food items citing the pressure on the country’s forex reserve created by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to customs officials, import of dry peas has remained highest followed by dates, pepper and beetle nuts.

These items are mostly imported unauthorised from third countries to export to India. Dry peas are imported from Canada and Indonesia whereas dates come from Pakistan and pepper from Vietnam. Similarly, beetle nuts are imported from Indonesia and Thailand.