Kathmandu- Despite lower import costs, Cimex Inc., hasn’t reduced the price of the BYD Dolphin in Nepal.

In most businesses, a drop in purchase cost leads to a lower selling price. But for over two months, Cimex, the official BYD distributor, has kept the Dolphin's price unchanged, even though import prices have fallen.

In January 2025, Cimex imported the Dolphin at a CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of ¥116,828. By April, the same model arrived at ¥97,278, a 17 percent decrease. Still, the retail price stayed at Rs 41.15 lakh.

Cost Breakdown:

January 2025 Import:

CIF: ¥116,828 = Rs 22.19 lakh

With taxes and fees: Rs 36.34 lakh

Add transport, insurance, registration, etc.: Rs 93,500

Total landed cost: Rs 37.28 lakh

Profit: Rs 3.87 lakh (10 percent margin)

April 2025 Import:

CIF: ¥97,278 = Rs 18.50 lakh

With taxes and fees: Rs 30.29 lakh

Other charges: Rs 93,500

Total landed cost: Rs 31.23 lakh

Profit: Rs 9.92 lakh (32 percent margin)

Cimex increased its profit margin but didn’t lower the retail price. As a result, consumers haven’t benefited from the tax incentives.

Cimex also includes the cost of an AC charger (Rs 40,000) in the price, increasing customer expenses further.

The price gap has grown:

January: Rs 3.87 lakh profit

April: Rs 9.92 lakh profit

Many suspect Cimex didn’t adjust the Dolphin’s price to offset losses from unsold Atto 3 units imported before the 2081 budget.

Cimex has a history of similar practices. In 2019, it imported the BYD e6 for $10,000 but sold it for Rs 50 lakh. Customs found Rs 1.12 crore in tax evasion. Cimex lost the case at the Revenue Tribunal, and the matter is now in the Supreme Court.

In another case, Cimex charged Rs 50 lakh in repairs for a Rs 56 lakh BYD Atto 3, allegedly inflating parts prices to influence insurance claims.

Despite all this, authorities like the Customs Department and Consumer Protection Office haven’t taken any action. Meanwhile, consumers pay more, and the government loses revenue.