Importers have complained that they have been facing a number of hassles as international shipping companies and clearing agents based in Kolkata, India have formed a cartel and been collecting money from them under various unrelated headings.

Haldiya port in Kolkata is the only sea gateway for Nepal’s trade with third countries.

Ashok Kumar Temani, a member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), accused the combine of shipping companies and agents of overcharging them.

“They have been charging excess amounts on the pretext of various reasons like container handling charge, repairing charge, ISP, peak season surcharge, congestion charge and waiting charge,” he said. “As these fees are added to the market price of the imported products, consumers have been hit hard by swelling prices.” Pradeep Kumar Kedia, president of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that shipping companies had been adding an average of 14 percent extra charges through their Kolkata-based agents.

An estimated two dozen agents are engaged in clearing imported goods at Kolkata port. They have been collecting an extra charge of Rs25,000 per container. Nepal imports around 36,000 container-loads of products annually. Based on this figure, importers have been forced to pay Rs1 billion in extra charges.

Kedia said they had recently complained about the problem to the concerned stakeholders during a programme. He also criticized lack of cooperation from Nepal’s Consul General’s Office in Kolkata to resolve the issue.

According to importers, Indian customs agents have a monopoly in clearing imported goods at Kolkata port. Kedia even accused them of charging excess money by producing fake bills of shipping companies. “However, we have not been able to take any action against them,” he said.

According to Kedia, it would be good if Nepali customs agents were also allowed to operate at the port. “Otherwise, there should be a provision for black listing shipping companies and customs agents involved in malpractices,” he said.

Importers also complained that they were compelled to undergo multiple clearances,  once at Kolkata port and again through customs agents in Nepal which has delayed shipments. Shyam Babu Patel, vice-president of the Federation of Customs Agents, also urged the Consulate General in Kolkata to play an effective role to address the problems facing importers. “The government should hold bilateral talks to allow Nepali customs agents to operate at the port,” Patel said.