Customs points across Nepal have been overwhelmed by long queues of trucks carrying imported goods after traders refused to clear shipments in protest against the government’s mandatory maximum retail price (MRP) rule.
The government had made it compulsory—effective April 28, 2026—for all imported finished goods to carry MRP labels before customs clearance. The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (DoCSCP) issued a public notice on April 13, giving importers just 15 days to comply.
Unhappy with the directive, traders stopped clearing imported goods from the day the rule came into force. As a result, customs offices nationwide—including Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Biratnagar, Rasuwagadhi, Nepalgunj, and Kakarbhitta—refused to release goods lacking MRP labels, leaving more than 1,000 containers stranded at border checkpoints.
According to Udaya Singh Bista, information officer at the Birgunj Customs Office, importers did not process any shipments for four consecutive days. Only essential items such as petroleum products, industrial raw materials, and perishable goods like fruits and vegetables were allowed through during this period.
Traders argue the rule is impractical, noting that shipments often contain thousands of individual items, making it difficult to label each one. They also stress that bulk cargo cannot be safely unpacked at border points for labeling.
Importers have further raised concerns about increased costs from repackaging and relabeling at customs, along with possible demurrage and detention charges caused by clearance delays.
In response to mounting pressure, the government withdrew the provision on Thursday and revised the guidelines. Importers are now allowed to clear goods by submitting a self-declaration of MRP instead.
An official from the DoCSCP said the self-declaration system is easier to implement and monitor while maintaining legal accountability without requiring physical checks at customs.
Hari Prasad Gautam, president of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said traders were still hesitant to resume clearance as of Saturday. He added that they are seeking stronger coordination from the government when revising MRP-related policies.
The government has been trying to enforce MRP regulations for more than a decade. The Ministry of Commerce first introduced mandatory price tagging for daily consumer goods through a Nepal Gazette notice published on September 17, 2012.
