Chinese BYD electric vehicles released from detention at Korala checkpoint

June 16, Kathmandu: A fleet of Chinese BYD electric vehicles that had been held along the Jomsom and Korala checkpoints of the Nepal-China border over suspected import irregularities has been granted permission to leave for their final destinations.

The Armed Police Force Nepal’s Company 33 in Jomsom informed that the vehicles were let go on Sunday and subsequently handed over to the respective sides. Armed Police Force Deputy Superintendent of Police Bheshraj Giri confirmed that the handover took place on Sunday evening.

A total of 775 electric vehicles were originally imported into Nepal via the Korala checkpoint during the final week of May and the first week of June.

Out of this fleet, the Mustang Customs Office in Nechung conducted the official customs checking for 649 vehicles. However, the Armed Police Force later took the vehicles under control due to suspicions regarding anomalies in the import procedures.

All of the detained electric vehicles had been purchased from China by Simon Electric. To resolve the issue, the Ministry of Finance formed a three-member investigation committee coordinated by Bhupal Raj Shakya, the chief of the Evaluation Section under the Policy and Operations Division of the Department of Customs. Following an on-site monitoring visit, the team presented a preliminary conclusion that ruled out the possibility of any irregularities in the import of the vehicles.