Lower house passes Customs Bill

KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved the Customs Bill, 2025, with a majority vote. The Bill aims to amend and consolidate customs-related laws.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel presented the proposal to pass the Bill.

During the discussion on the Bill, lawmaker Prabhu Sah said some provisions in the bill would cause inconvenience to people living in border areas. He suggested removing provisions that allow the confiscation of personal property under the pretext of seizing illegally imported goods.

Similarly, lawmaker Hemraj Rai said the open border with neighboring countries has weakened the effectiveness of customs administration. He called the need for adequate inspection equipment and increased patrolling by security forces in border areas to curb smuggling.

Another lawmaker, Ganga Karki, said the Bill would help resolve issues faced by traders and facilitate smoother import-export processes. Likewise, lawmaker Shiva Nepali expressed confidence that the Bill would promote the use of technology in customs administration.

Lawmaker Ganesh said new legal provisions are necessary to address issues in the customs sector. He added that the bill would help understand tax and non-tax barriers as Nepal transitions from a least developed country to a developing nation by 2026.

Other lawmakers, including Prem Suwal, Madhav Sapkota, Ranendra Barali and Kiran Kumar Sah, also shared their views during the discussion.

Responding to concerns raised by the lawmakers, Finance Minister Paudel said the Bill was refined and amended after thorough discussions in the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives.