The import of four-wheeler automobiles through the Birgunj customs office declined in the first 10 months of the current Fiscal Year (FY).

According to the Birgunj Customs Office (BCO), a total of 735 petroleum vehicles, including jeeps, cars, and vans worth Rs 1.53 billion, were imported through the border point during the review period this year. In the same period last year, a total of 1,267 four-wheelers worth Rs 2.07 billion were imported.

Deepak Lamichhane, chief customs officer at the BCO, said a large number of vehicles are now being imported from other border points of the country rather than through Birgunj.

With the decrease in the import of petroleum-powered cars, revenue collection at the BCO also declined. In the review period of the current FY, the office collected customs revenue worth Rs 4.03 billion from fuel-powered four-wheeled vehicles, compared to Rs 4.39 billion during the same period last FY.

Meanwhile, the import of trucks and minitrucks also declined in the first 10 months. During this period, 231 trucks and minitrucks worth Rs 530 million were imported. In the same period of the previous FY, 764 trucks and minitrucks worth Rs 2.12 billion were imported.

Likewise, there was a sharp decline in the import of electric jeeps, cars, and vans. During the period, 174 electric jeeps, cars, and vans worth Rs 420 million were imported this year, compared to 448 worth Rs 950 million last year.

The office collected customs revenue of Rs 15.24 billion from the import of these vehicles.