Agents Protest New Customs Act

The Federation of Customs Agents Nepal has announced a nationwide ‘pen-down’ strike at customs offices. The protest is directed at the Act to amend and integrate customs-related laws, which the government issued on December 6, 2025.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 9, the Federation said several provisions in the Act discourage customs agents. It warned that the provisions will also negatively affect international trade facilitation.

Federation Chair Prachin Kumar Thaiba said the Act contains punitive measures that deter licensed customs agents. He said these measures undermine professional rights and the environment needed for regular operations. He added that the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Customs ignored repeated calls, made since the drafting stage, to protect professional rights and support trade facilitation.

The Federation said it will announce further protest programmes if the government does not address the demands immediately.

Customs agents at the Bhairahawa Customs Office began their protest on Monday. The protest has disrupted revenue collection at the office, which aims to collect Rs 330 million in revenue daily.

Agents said electronically submitted information may contain discrepancies due to human error or technical issues. They argued that treating minor errors as acts of “fraud” or “malicious intent”, and imposing heavy penalties, is unjust. They demanded a clear distinction between genuine mistakes and deliberate wrongdoing.

The protest also brought operations at the Biratnagar Customs Office to a halt on Tuesday. The private sector there has backed the agitation.

Pawan Sharda, Chair of the Koshi Province Committee of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, said he supports opposition to the Act. Sharda, too, argued that some of the provisions impose punitive measures on industrialists, traders, and customs agents.

The protest has halted the clearance of imports and exports, affecting the the Biratnagar Customs Office’s daily revenue target of over Rs 140 million. 

(With inputs RSS)