Rupaidiya:The number of Nepali shoppers visiting the Rupaidiya market on the Indian side of the border has declined following changes in Nepal’s import regulations.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the tighter import rules at the Jamunaha border point in Nepalgunj now require shoppers to pay import duty on goods valued over Rs 100. This adjustment has led to increased shopping activity within Nepal itself. The border town in India, once bustling with Nepali customers during festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhatha, is now seeing fewer visitors due to these new requirements.
Former chairman of the Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce, Krishna Prasad Shrestha, noted that the stricter customs provisions and checkpoints are deterring Nepalis from visiting Indian markets. Since mid-April, the Nepalese government has mandated customs clearance for imports over Rs 100, adding further barriers for cross-border shopping.
Sirjana Thapa from Puraina, Nepalgunj-21, expressed frustration over the inconvenience caused by the strict border checkpoints and the long wait times. She noted that the once lively Rupaidiya market is now much quieter. Goods valued over Rs 500 must undergo customs checks, further complicating cross-border shopping.
Despite the challenges at the border, the changes have benefited the Nepali markets. Prabhat Kumar Thakuri, a consumer rights activist, observed that shopping malls and marts in Nepalgunj are now bustling with shoppers. He emphasized the need for traders and businesses to collaborate in creating a welcoming shopping environment and suggested market monitoring to prevent price hikes and black marketing during festival seasons.
Chiranjivi Oli, chairman of the Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that strict border controls have also led to a decline in smuggling activities.