Kathmandu -The High Court Janakpur’s temporary bench in Birgunj has rejected an interim order request by Kaeros International Pvt. Ltd., allowing the Dry Port Customs Office in Sirsiya to enforce its decision that a Range Rover vehicle was under-invoiced.

Following a hearing on Wednesday, a joint bench of Judges Dr. Khushiprasad Tharu and Hariprasad Joshi denied the interim order. Earlier, on Baisakh 10, a single bench of Judge Arjun Maharjan had issued a short-term interim order and summoned both parties for discussion on Baisakh 17.

The customs office had found that the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, imported for USD 67,520, was under-invoiced and reassessed its value at USD 86,000. Based on this, it issued a notice demanding additional taxes and penalties.

Kaeros International filed a writ petition through Rajesh Sharma, arguing against the customs decision and seeking to halt its implementation. 

Biznessews had previously revealed how the company had imported the car through a third-party firm instead of the manufacturer or an authorized dealer, violating customs regulations.

Despite Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) confirming it has no authorized dealer in Nepal, the vehicle cleared customs on Magh 27. 

Investigation from Biznessnews revealed that the declared cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value was significantly lower than market rates.

The freight and insurance costs alone from the US would be at least USD 4,000 to 5,000, implying that the car was purchased for around USD 60,000.

The customs department revalued the car at USD 86,000 and sent a letter to Kaeros International. It instructed the office to collect customs duties, excise duty, road maintenance fee, VAT, and penalties based on the reassessed value.

With the interim order denied, the customs office can now recover the reassessed taxes, duties, and penalties from Kaeros International.