In the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported petroleum products worth Rs 174.09 billion via the Birgunj customs point — a Rs 1.05 billion dip from last year. But here’s the twist: government revenue surged 11.66%, climbing by Rs 7.64 billion, thanks largely to revised tax structures.
Diesel led the charge with 10.3 million kiloliters imported, fueling Rs 41.03 billion in revenue — up from Rs 36.04 billion last year, even as import value fell. Petrol, LPG, and ATF followed suit in shifting patterns, with LPG volumes up nearly 13% and petrol duties jumping despite slight volume shifts.
Customs Chief Deepak Lamichhane confirms: petroleum products remained Birgunj’s top revenue source, proving that lower import values don’t always mean less income — not when taxes are turned up.
