Kathmandu, August 1
The Department of Customs has made it compulsory for businesses to declare the intended maximum retail price of 12 imported goods for Nepali consumers. The new measure has been introduced to safeguard the interest of consumers, the department said.
The 12 items are: TV, household air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven, energy drinks, marble granite and tile, cooking range, chimney, digital camera, video camera, and motor vehicles. The provision is being implemented six years after it was put on paper.
Director-General Rameshwor Dangal said that officials have found businesses selling merchandise by keeping a large profit margin. This is akin to black-marketing, he added. He added that the declared prices will be posted on the department’s website for consumers to check.
The department is preparing to add more items to the list. A committee is looking into a list of potential merchandise to be added to the list. It is likely to add ready-made clothes and cosmetics to the list.
