Kathmandu. Stakeholders have stressed that the classification of goods in customs should be done according to the nature of the goods. Speaking during a clause-by-clause discussion on the ‘Bill to Amend and Unify Customs Laws’ in the meeting of the Finance Committee under the House of Representatives on Friday, the stakeholders said this.
They are of the opinion that although the classification of goods seems easy, it is technically difficult. Speaking at the meeting, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dinesh Kumar Ghimire emphasized that if there is a difference in classification, the price of the goods will also differ and emphasized that the goods should be classified according to the nature of the goods.
He said that in cases where customs officials are unable to classify the goods, they can also seek advice from experts. He said that in case of any doubt in the classification, it is necessary to send a sample of the goods to the Director General of the Customs Department and arrange for the department head to classify them according to the prevailing norms.
Secretary Ghimire said that it is not appropriate to set a time limit when the goods have to be classified by the customs organization.
He said, “If the classification of the goods is different, the duty also differs. Therefore, the classification should be done according to the nature of the goods. Codes are used to identify and classify international goods. Although goods are classified according to international norms, sometimes problems can arise. If there is such a doubt, it should be sent to the Director General of the Customs Department and he should classify them according to the current practice. In cases where the goods cannot be classified, an expert’s opinion can also be sought. The customs organization can also be consulted on this matter. The Customs Organization can give its opinion on classification based on the HS code. We should not put a time limit on such matters because it is also a diplomatic matter. The issue of classification of goods, although it seems easy at first glance, is a very technical issue.’
Speaking at the meeting, Mahesh Bhattarai, Director General of the Customs Department, said that laws should be made to strengthen market monitoring and income tax standards. He said that if income tax standards are systematized and market monitoring is strengthened, the problems seen in customs will automatically reduce.
He stressed that laws should be made to systematize and strengthen the internal revenue system. He said that determining the price of goods is not within the scope of the customs law.
He said, “If we can strengthen market monitoring, strengthen income tax standards, and increase the tax base, customs problems will automatically decrease. Customs is there to strengthen customs administration. Our payment system should also be formalized. The internal revenue system should also be strengthened. Market monitoring should also be strengthened. It cannot determine the price of goods. The Consumer Protection Act has guided that. The market price and discount of goods are matters outside the scope of the act.”
He said that customs revenue would increase if the classification and evaluation of goods were done correctly.
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