Nepali traders have halted importing goods from China through Khasa for the last 12 days after a Chinese transport company and customs agents raised transportation charge and porters’ fee.

This has affected the government’s revenue collection. The Tatopani Customs Office, which usually collects above Rs 10 million a day, has been collecting around Rs 500,000 a day, according to the office.

A team of businesspeople led by Nepal Trans-Himalayan Border Commerce Association (NTHBCA) have submitted a list of demands to Chinese Embassy officials.

A meeting between officials from the Chinese embassy and the Chinese government was held in Khasha on Wednesday on the matter. NTHBCA President Nil Kantha Chaulagain said they are awaiting decision from the Chinese side.

Chinese transporters and customs agents, who were charging 600 and 1,000 yuan for small and large vehicles, respectively, jacked up the rates to 1,702 and 2,500 yuan, respectively.

In protest, Sindhupalchowk Chamber of Commerce, Nepal Trans-Himalayan Border Commerce Association, Nepal Truck Container Entrepre-neurs Association and Nepal China Transportation Associ-ation have shut down all import activities.

The Chinese agents increased their fees after the Chinese government rolled back bonuses offered to them.

Sindhupalchowk Chamber of Commerce President Rajendra Kumar Shrestha said Nepali traders cannot compensate the Chinese customs agents for cancelled bonuses.

As customs agents are from the private sector, the Chinese government does not want to intervene on the matter.