July 22: The government has allowed exporters to take back their shipments of black pepper held at Birgunj Dry Port and Indian ports.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies on Tuesday decided to let the exporters take back the black peppers brought without prior permission from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.

At present, almost 1,000 containers of unauthorized food items have been held at the check points following the government directive to restrict the import of chickpeas, black pepper, betel nuts and dates on April 30.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Nawaraj Dhakal informed that the ministry has decided to allow exporters to take back the containers of black pepper shipped to Nepal before the ban was imposed. However, the exporters have to complete some formal procedures, the secretary added.

The containers have been stuck in the port of Kolkata and Visakhapatnam for three months after the Birgunj Dry Port Customs stopped issuing the inspection pass. The ministry has allowed the exporters only to take back black pepper among the consignments.

Joint Secretary Dhakal informed that the exporters have been directed to make arrangements ensuring that foreign currency is not misappropriated while taking back the pepper.

The ministry has forwarded the notice to the Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection Department as well as the Department of Customs regarding the decision. Consignments imported without prior permission have been stopped at the border check points while those brought before the ban were allowed to enter.