KATHMANDU, MAY 22 –

Nepali traders have halted imports and exports through the Tatopani customs point on the northern border with China from Monday. They have stopped shipments in protest against the increase in freight and wages by Chinese transporters and loaders. Chinese transport companies have hiked the charge for transporting goods from warehouses in Khasa to Nepali traders to 1,500 yuan (Rs 15,700) per truckload. Talks between Nepali government officials and the Chinese side endsed inconclusive on Tuesday

With trade through Tatopani at a standstill, revenue collection at the customs office has hit rock bottom. Customs chief Mimansha Adhikari said they took in Rs 10 million in taxes in all of last week while they used to earn Rs 12.5 million daily. According to him, only 14 containers of apples passed through the customs point on Monday.

Adhikari said that the traders themselves were present at the customs point to make sure that no goods got through. As a result, imports worth millions of rupees have been piling up in warehouses across the border in Khasa.

Meanwhile, the traders have formed a struggle committee under the chairmanship of Nilkantha Chaulagain, president of the Nepal Trans Himalaya Commerce Association. The committee has decided to continue the protest until the rate hikes are rolled back. The association has been backed by the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce, Nepal Truck Containers Entrepreneurs Association and Nepal-China Cargo Association in its demand.

Buddha Raj Basnet, second vice-president of the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce, said Chinese transporters had been charging extra even after paying the entire charge while loading the goods“ “We will not pay even a single penny hereafte”,” he said. The traders said the increased charges would cost them Rs 100 million annually.

Kodari Immigration Office chief Jagannath Sharma Paudel said the Chinese authorities had washed their hands of the dispute saying it was purely a matter of the private sector.

Posted on: 2013-05-22 09:11
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/05/22/business/trade-via-tatopani-at-standstill-as-traders-protest-freight-hike/372048.html

CHAUTARA, MAY 17 –

Imports through Tatopani customs point has stalled for the last four days after Nepali traders refused to pay increased transport fare and wages to Chinese transporters and loaders.

Khasa-based transport companies have increased the charge for transporting goods from warehouse to Nepali traders to 1,500 Yuan (Rs 15,700) per truck, while Chinese loaders have also started charging high, according to traders.

Nepal Trans Himalaya Commerce Association President Nilkantha Chaulagain said they were forced to stop imports after Chinese transporters hiked the transportation charge. He said they are not ready to pay a single penny for transporting goods from warehouse, terming it “cheating”.

Nepali traders said the extra charge taken by transporters, besides the wage for loaders, is unjustifiable.

Trans Border Nepal Truck Container Traders’ Association and Nepal China Transporters’ Association have declared they will not import goods until the Chinese transporters annul additional charge. Chaulagain also asserted why they should pay additional charge while receiving their own goods. “We will not pay additional annual fare of Rs 90-100 million,” he said.

Goods worth millions of rupees have stuck at Khasa after Nepali traders refused to import goods. Trader Nabin Thapa said Nepalis have been forced to incur losses due to Chinese transporters and loaders. “Wages of loader and transporters have been increased unjustifiably,” said Thapa.

After imported goods stuck in Khasa, Tatopani Customs Office fulfilled its revenue target by taking revenue in advance from the traders.

Customs Office Chief Mimanshu Adhikari said no goods were imported on Wednesday except hand-carry goods and there is silence on the customs premises.

Posted on: 2013-05-17 08:59