Customs Agents’ Federation Calls Off Pen-Down Strike After Agreement With Department

The Federation of Customs Agents has announced that it is withdrawing its nationwide pen-down protest after reaching an agreement with the Department of Customs to address the federation’s key demands. The decision comes following several rounds of dialogue that both sides described as constructive and solution-oriented.

According to the federation, certain provisions in the Customs Act 2052 had long created complications for customs agents, affecting their professional rights, operational convenience, and even broader trade facilitation efforts. Representatives argued that ambiguous responsibilities, procedural hurdles, and the potential sidelining of agents under the new legal framework had compelled them to initiate protest programs.

The dispute escalated after the government implemented the revised and consolidated Customs Act 2082, effective from Mangsir 20. Customs agents expressed dissatisfaction with several provisions in the updated legislation, stating that the changes could disrupt their professional role within Nepal’s import-export chain. As a result, the federation had declared a nationwide pen-down strike at all customs offices starting Mangsir 23.

Federation President Prachin Kumar Thaiba said that the Department of Customs has agreed to address the major concerns raised by the agents, paving the way for the withdrawal of the protest. He expressed gratitude to the customs agents across the country as well as business and industry associations who supported the movement.

With the strike now suspended, the federation said it will focus on ensuring that the agreements reached are implemented effectively. It emphasized that customs agents play a crucial role in trade facilitation, transparency, and smooth customs procedures, and therefore continued policy-level dialogue with the government will remain essential.