July 19: More than 100 containers of peas imported from third countries are stuck in the dry port of Birgunj due to procedural hassles. The containers that were imported under the quota of the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (DoCSM) have been stopped at the port.

The customs officials at the dry port say that the letter written by the department to the importer is not clear about the customs clearance of the imported product. The peas imported from countries including the United States and Canada are still stuck at the port.

The department had allocated quota for importing peas, betel nuts, dates and pepper for the last fiscal year 2077/78.

The DoCSM had informed the importers on May 7 that those who received the quota had to submit the shipment documents by mid-July. If not, the quota will be automatically cancelled.

The department had also shared the information with the Department of Customs. Information Officer at the Department of Cusoms, Chudamani Kattel said that the inspection could not be done as they were not sure about the shipment.

According to him, the documents of about 100 containers were submitted on Sunday for inspection. He said that even though the containers have arrived at the port, they were confused by the letter issued by the department.

“As per the letter from the department, import is possible only if the shipment documents are submitted by mid-July. So the inspection cannot be done until the this issue is clarified,” Kattel told New Business Age.

Furthermore, Kattel said that he had received information that the betel nuts are also stopped at Biratnagar customs due to similar procedural dilemmas.

The government had allocated a quota to import 80,000 metric tons of peas in the last fiscal year.

Importer Om Prakash Mor estimates that half of the goods under the allocated quota have already been imported. The other half is yet to arrive. “As of July 15 alone, 427 containers have been shipped. There are still about 1,500 containers on the way,” he said.