PM Dahal directs authorities concerned not to implement decision to impose tax on mobiles brought by foreign-returnees

NL Today

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Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has directed the authorities concerned not to implement its decision to levy tax on mobile sets brought from abroad by migrant workers.

Following a backlash on social media and migrant workers launching a ‘no remittance campaign’, Prime Minister Dahal directed all the authorities concerned, including the Finance Ministry and the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, to not implement the decision. 

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority decided to implement the mobile device management system (MDMS) from today. Under the system, the government had decided to levy 18 percent customs duty if a foreign returnee was found to have brought more than one mobile set from abroad.

According to the new rule, returnees bringing more than one handheld device from abroad have to pay 18 percent tax, including 5 percent customs duty and 13 percent value-added tax (VAT).