Kathmandu-The agency of KarKab Gears Pvt. Ltd., which claimed to be the official distributor of the Jaguar Land Rover brand, has been found to have expired. The failure to renew the agency has blocked customs clearance of a Jaguar I-Pace EV imported by the company, as authorities identified the import as illegal.

KarKab imported the Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicle from a Belgium-based company called Quadriga. The car arrived at Chobhar Customs with a UK-registered consumer number plate. The company claimed it was an ‘export number plate,’ but such a system does not exist in international automobile trade. This raises serious questions about the authenticity of the import.

Records show that KarKab obtained its agency registration from the Department of Commerce using documents from a company that has no direct link with Jaguar Land Rover. The agency certificate lists Quadriga as the appointing company. However, customs documents identify the exporter as ‘Quadriga Car Rental NV.’ The mismatch in company names points to possible forged documentation and irregular import practices.

KarKab’s agency, registered under number 2641, expired on March 29. The law requires companies to apply for renewal at least 15 days before expiry. KarKab failed to meet this deadline and applied only after the agency had lapsed.

The company’s attempt to renew the agency has failed. Officials at the Department of Commerce reviewed the application and found multiple inconsistencies. The process was halted. Sources said the company tried to push the renewal using previous connections, but the case had already reached senior-level scrutiny.

After failing through staff channels, company representative Kishore Chandra Bade Shrestha visited the department. When renewal was denied on legal grounds, he attempted to register a new agency. Officials rejected this request, citing concerns over forged documents and an attempt to legalise already imported vehicles.

The import route of the vehicle has also raised concerns. The Jaguar I-Pace was manufactured in Austria. Customs records show Austria as the origin, while KarKab stated the vehicle was exported from the UK. Under international practice, vehicles meant for export are not registered in any country. A registered vehicle is treated as second-hand.

The presence of a UK consumer number plate indicates the vehicle was already registered and used. This makes it a second-hand import. KarKab has brought six Jaguar I-Pace EVs to Chobhar Customs. One unit was cleared on January 13.

The decision to route the vehicles through Chobhar instead of Birgunj Customs has also drawn attention. Another company, Kairos International Pvt. Ltd., has been importing Jaguar Land Rover vehicles through Birgunj. Routing through Chobhar appears to be an attempt to avoid scrutiny.

The vehicle was manufactured in Austria, routed through the UK, and imported via a Belgium-based company claiming distributor authority. This indirect chain adds to the suspicion. Jaguar Land Rover has already clarified that it has not had an official distributor in Nepal since 2016.

Despite this, both Kairos International and KarKab Gears claim to be authorised distributors. However, neither appears to have direct approval from the manufacturer or from any officially designated export partner.

KarKab Gear import controversy: Vehicle produced in Austria, registered in UK, sold via Belgium firm, reconditioned car cleared through red channel