Kathmandu- The British luxury car company Jaguar Land Rover has said that it does not have an official dealer in Nepal. However, a Land Rover car was still cleared through customs, raising questions about how it was imported.

Violation of Customs Rules
According to Nepal's customs law, only an authorized dealer can import a vehicle. But even though Jaguar Land Rover confirmed it has no dealer in Nepal, customs still approved the import of a Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

A company called Kaeros International Pvt. Ltd. brought in the car, and it was cleared through customs on February 9 at the Inland Dry Port in Birgunj. Reports suggest that Kaeros used fake documents claiming to be an official dealer, and customs allowed the import without proper checks.

Under-Invoicing and Manipulation

Kaeros International has established strong influence within the customs office, enabling it to get illegally imported vehicles cleared without proper scrutiny.

Additionally, Kaeros under-invoiced the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The global market price of the vehicle exceeds $90,000, but Kaeros declared its CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) value at just $67,520.

Kaeros claimed that the vehicle was imported from the United States. However, shipping and insurance costs from the U.S. alone amount to at least $4,000 to $5,000, suggesting that the actual purchase price was around $60,000—a clear case of under-invoicing to evade taxes.

 

 

 

Jaguar Land Rover  (JLR)  had earlier confirmed that there is no authorized dealer in Nepal.  

 

JLR Asia Pacific confirmed via email that it has no authorized dealer in Nepal.

'Jaguar Land Rover Limited, manufacturers of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, parts and accessories, can confirm we do not have an authorized distributor in Nepal,' it read. 

'Any business operator in Nepal that claims to import, distribute and sell JLR products is doing so in the capacity as a non-authorized importer.'

Kaeros International has partnered with South China Exim Limited, a Hong Kong firm registered under Rakesh Adukia, who has also set up another fraudulent entity, Automobile Universal Development International (AUDI), to fabricate dealership claims.
 

The Department of Commerce's approval of such agencies without proper checks raises concerns about financial misconduct. South China Exim Limited, the exporter, lacks JLR's authorization.

Nepal's import laws ensure transparency, prevent currency misuse, and guarantee post-sale services. Fraudulent practices like this lead to undervaluation, foreign currency misappropriation, and consumer exploitation.

Kaeros International is involved in currency misuse, with JLR confirming no authorized dealer in Nepal. Authorities, including Customs and Nepal Rastra Bank, must act swiftly to stop the clearance process and investigate.

 

Kaeros International is also importing other luxury cars illegally, including Audi and Porsche electric cars. Even though these activities clearly break the law, customs officials, the Department of Commerce, and the Ministry of Finance have done nothing about it.