The delay to import and the decrease in paper stock has increased its price

In an interview with ILNA News Agency on the assessment of the paper market situation in mid October, the head of the Union of Paper and Cardboard Importers said, "Luckily, after the change in prices during the early autumn, the paper market has reached a good stability from the aspect of the supply & demand and prices. Regarding the prices, we have not witnessed such considerable changes. Of course, grey back cardboards faced a mild increase in price, but the healthy cardboards have had a decrease in price. Moreover, a ream of writing paper is offered to consumers at a price between 76 and 78 thousand Tomans based on its material and type.

In response to the question of "To what extent is the 26% change of prices in paper market resulted from the high amount purchase by one or two publisher(s)?",  the head of the Union of Paper and Cardboard Importers sated, "The purchase made by each publisher or institute of publication is as much as their consumption requirement, but it is not so much right to consider the relative expensive price in the first month of autumn the consequences of the purchase of high amount by one or two publisher(s). This kind of purchases is made every year and it is not limited to this period. Of course since this issue can disrupt the stable conditions of supply and demand of the market to some extent and have impact on the increase in the prices, these issues are absolutely experienced less if the barriers for import are removed. In fact, the delay to import and the decrease in the stock of some items have an important role in the fluctuation of price."

On paper imports' some problems in clearance of the goods at customs, he explained, "Paper importers do not have serious and certain problems with the customs in clearing their goods. The reason for the existing cases is the online process of requesting and tracking the clearance which is interrupted by glitches arising in online system and online Customs registration system. However, such interruptions will cause serious losses to importers. The delays will increase the costs of importing and can even have impact on the final price of supplying paper on the market." 

He also reminded, "A working day is also considered important in import process because the storing measures should also be noted. If Customs show more coordination in this respect, these apparently slight issues which will eventually have effect on prices will not take place."

At the end, Mirbagheri stressed, "Despite the agreement made with Tax Organization on the payment of specific percentage by the members of the Union of Paper and Cardboard Importers which have already been made, the final tax settlement certificate has not delivered to many of our members, and even tax announcement has been issued again for these tax payers."