Border customs duty: Nepali Congress urges Nepal to withdraw NPR 100 import rule on India goods

Nepali Congress has urged the government to withdraw a policy requiring customs duty on goods worth more than NPR 100 imported from India by border-area residents. The party said the measure affects daily necessities, worsens inflation pressures, and harms social justice and national unity. It also called for lower taxes on food grains, clothing, and essential household items.

Nepali Congress has urged the government to reverse a new customs duty rule affecting border residents. The party said the move hits people who depend on cheaper essentials from India. The rule makes customs duty mandatory on goods valued above NPR 100. Nepali Congress said the decision should be withdrawn immediately.

The party said the measure has applied since mid-April 2026. It covers daily necessities and household items brought in from India by people living near the border. Nepali Congress said the change has raised concern among border communities. The party also linked the issue to wider pressure from rising inflation.

Nepali Congress criticises customs duty decision on India imports

In a statement, Nepali Congress said the policy harms fairness and unity in the country. The statement called the decision "a blow to social justice and national unity\". The party said it had taken serious note of customs duty on goods above NPR 100. It said the rule targets regular purchases, not luxury goods.

Nepali Congress also asked the government to lower taxes on key essentials. The party listed food grains, clothing and other daily necessary goods. It said tax relief would help families facing higher prices. The party argued the customs step adds to costs for people already under financial strain.

Nepali Congress calls for customs duty rollback and tax cuts on India goods

The statement described the policy as hostile to the public and hard to apply. It said such \"anti-people, impractical and insensitive\" decisions deepen hardship during an economic crisis. Nepali Congress said inflation has already reduced spending power. The party said the new rule adds another burden for border households.

Nepali Congress said many people sustain livelihoods by buying cheaper goods in India. The party said the customs duty mostly affects lower income groups. It named farmers and labourers living along Nepal’s southern border. The statement was signed by Nepali Congress spokesperson Devraj Chalise, and repeated the demand to withdraw the rule.

With inputs from PTI