Finance Ministry Denies EV Import Claims No Irregularities Identified
The Finance Ministry has officially denied allegations of irregularities in electric vehicle (EV) imports through northern border customs points, stating all imports followed standard procedures and existing laws. A total of 649 BYD EVs, including Atto 1 and Atto 2 models, were imported through the Korala border customs point between Jestha 8 and Jestha 13, processed as pre-planned shipments with no evidence of timing manipulation linked to recent budget changes. Over 200 Kaiyi electric vehicles were also cleared through the Rasuwagadhi customs point, all processed under prevailing tariff rates and standard approval systems, with the ministry rejecting claims of pre-budget advantages. The ministry emphasized that EV imports rely on Letter of Credit banking arrangements and require weeks or months of planning due to physical arrival verification, making short-term policy-based timing adjustments impractical. Administrative reviews, including reassignment of customs officials and additional oversight, have been initiated as routine safeguards, while official data shows a decrease in EV imports this year compared to last year, indicating no abnormal surge linked to tariff expectations.
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