Nepal, April 27 -- The government's strict enforcement of customs duties on goods worth more than Rs100 brought from Indian markets has led to a sharp decline in cross-border shopping, leaving border towns unusually quiet while drawing mixed reactions from traders and local residents.

Security personnel, particularly the Armed Police Force (APF), have been using loudspeakers in border areas to inform the public that customs clearance is mandatory for goods exceeding the threshold. Customs officials and security agencies have stepped up checks at major crossings in recent weeks, significantly reducing the flow of people travelling to Indian markets for daily purchases.

The impact is visible across several border points. Sunauli, a major ...