Lately, customs authorities at Dhangadhi Airport seized one person trying to bring 21 iPhones into the country. The seizure affirm the fact that authorities still experience a lot of difficulties in combating the supply of banned goods via import.
The alleged offender whose name is unknown at the moment was apprehended at the airport while going through the security check. Authority got alarmed when during X-ray scanning, the luggage of the passenger displayed strange densities. The officers observed that several iPhones in the conveyance had been well hidden within the bags and other luggage.
This event has highlighted the problem of electronics smuggling in Nepal especially through these little airports of Dhangadhi. High demand of high end smartphones especially android ones, combined with high import levies, shoots the market for these devices in Nigeria as a black market.
Mayors were satisfied with the efforts and activity of the customs officers involved in the operation. The successful interception is viewed as a positive outcome of increased security standards and the training provided to personnel of Dhangadhi Airport in the recent past.
The iPhones seized, which includes several million Nepali rupees’ worth of gadgets, will be retained as the case goes on in the legal legal courts. The suspect is liable to some steep fines and may possibly be imprisoned under the Nepal’s customs and import laws.
This case has once again brought into focus the call for much-increased scrutiny of passengers’ luggage right from all the points of entry. Critics have said that while large airports around the world have large-scale equipment for detection, the smaller regional ones may be considered easy targets.
The occurrence has also led to some discussion with regard to the very high importation tariffs on electronics in the Nepalese market. Others think these taxes make certain products either disappear from the shelves or be bought informally from the black market. Advocates of change have pointed out that modification of the current tax regime on electronics imported into Uganda suggests curbing pertinent illegality while enhancing licensable import and government income.
The respondents, who operate electronics business in Dhangadhi market, have shown concern towards the effects of smuggling. They say that it becomes hard for them to compete for the market since many devices are imported in the country illegally. There are demands for higher ratios of apprehension and prosecution and stiffer punishment to those involved in the smuggling.
Consequently, the airport officials have disclosed intentions to improve security measures as well as to increase political random searches of the passengers’ carry-ons. They are also planning on the use of enhanced scanning mechanisms for detecting concealed electrics on personal or otherwise.
It has been covered even by national media, and many believe that this is one of the issues which Nepal’s customs face. Import policies and enforcement measures must undergo a total overhauling of policies in an effort to address the real causes of smuggling.
The accident has been used by consumers rights activists to draw attention to problems tied with buying electronics from unauthorized middlemen. They state that counterfeits may not come with the correct warranties and those devices may or may not have complied with national safety regulations. There are also concerns With the use of these devices in other unlawful activities So goes the fear.
Official also aim to track down the source of the smuggled iPhones and check whether it is a single episode of smuggling of iPhones or if it is a regular affair. Their are inclination that such smuggling attempt may be sponsored by the various organized crime groups.
It has led to demand for joint collaboration of Nepal’s customs with those of the neighboring countries for the efficient suppression of cross border smuggling syndicates. Observance advocates opine that enhanced information sharing together with coordinated actions can decrease the transfers of illicit products by up to 90 percent.
It was welcomed and greeted with mixed emotions by the local technology freaks in Dhangadhi. While most are appalled by the illegality of the business, others are irked at the rarity and high price of the latest models in their local market. From this, we have been able to discuss the consequences of the existence or otherwise of more authorized brand resellers and distribution channels for popular electronics brands in some of the small cities across the globe.
It provides an insight into the issues of customs administrators due to the fact that challenges of balancing between the promotion of trade and acts of terror still persists. The experience at Dhangadhi Airport may result in the change of customs measures and import strategies with positive effects on the Nepali electronics retail market.
