Truckers on Shan South–Shan North route charged up to 3 million kyat per year
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Phyo/Thant Zin (NP News) - March - 18
A source close to the trading community told The Statesman that trucks carrying goods from southern Shan State to northern Shan State are paying annual fees of up to 3 million kyat to two armed groups in addition to tolls.
It is known that despite the current difficulties on the trade routes between Southern and Northern Shan, some trucks are forced to use multiple roads to cross the border, and this is why they pay annual fees to the RCSS and SSPP.
“If you go from Taunggyi, you have to use Taunggyi-Namhsan-Kholam-Konhing-Karli route. There, 12 wheels truck cost 1.5 million. A trailer truck costs 2 million. There are many gates. Now our vehicles are entering Shan North. There, we have to pay 2 million per vehicle for RCSS. And SSPP is asking 1 million kyat. The goods in Shan North are not worth this price,” the source said.
Therefore, he said, traders are facing difficulties as armed groups collect taxes in bulk every year.
“We are going to negotiate. We can accept paying taxes per trip, but paying a large amount of tax for a whole year is not affordable. If you go once, ask for it once. We’ll accept it. Before, they’ll ask for 100,000 kyat per trip. If you go 5 times, you have to pay 500,000 kyat. Now, they’re not taking responsibility. We paid a one-year amount in 2025. In 2025, the year is over and there’s still a few months left for paid tax period. However, they continue to ask the annual tax for next year,” he said.
Furthermore, he said that when trading from Northern Shan State to Muse, they have to pay at least three taxes to at least three armed groups.
“There are many cars going there from both North Shan and South Shan. If they go to Muse, they have to pay tax to another armed group, the TNLA. Therefore, it can be assumed that If they go that route, they have to pay three taxes,” he said.
He said that the high taxes on trade between Southern Shan and Northern Shan have increased transportation costs, which has a direct impact on commodity prices.
“They seem to have their own laws in their mouths. They should work fairly with procedures. If that happens, it will be easier for the people to access their basic needs. Now, if a bag of cement costs 6,000 or 7,000 kyats in Yangon, that cement will cost more than 20,000 kyats. It is not convenient,” said a person close to the trading community. –
zawgyi version
Truckers on Shan South–Shan North route charged up to 3 million kyat per year
Phyo/Thant Zin (NP News) - March - 18
A source close to the trading community told The Statesman that trucks carrying goods from southern Shan State to northern Shan State are paying annual fees of up to 3 million kyat to two armed groups in addition to tolls.
It is known that despite the current difficulties on the trade routes between Southern and Northern Shan, some trucks are forced to use multiple roads to cross the border, and this is why they pay annual fees to the RCSS and SSPP.
“If you go from Taunggyi, you have to use Taunggyi-Namhsan-Kholam-Konhing-Karli route. There, 12 wheels truck cost 1.5 million. A trailer truck costs 2 million. There are many gates. Now our vehicles are entering Shan North. There, we have to pay 2 million per vehicle for RCSS. And SSPP is asking 1 million kyat. The goods in Shan North are not worth this price,” the source said.
Therefore, he said, traders are facing difficulties as armed groups collect taxes in bulk every year.
“We are going to negotiate. We can accept paying taxes per trip, but paying a large amount of tax for a whole year is not affordable. If you go once, ask for it once. We’ll accept it. Before, they’ll ask for 100,000 kyat per trip. If you go 5 times, you have to pay 500,000 kyat. Now, they’re not taking responsibility. We paid a one-year amount in 2025. In 2025, the year is over and there’s still a few months left for paid tax period. However, they continue to ask the annual tax for next year,” he said.
Furthermore, he said that when trading from Northern Shan State to Muse, they have to pay at least three taxes to at least three armed groups.
“There are many cars going there from both North Shan and South Shan. If they go to Muse, they have to pay tax to another armed group, the TNLA. Therefore, it can be assumed that If they go that route, they have to pay three taxes,” he said.
He said that the high taxes on trade between Southern Shan and Northern Shan have increased transportation costs, which has a direct impact on commodity prices.
“They seem to have their own laws in their mouths. They should work fairly with procedures. If that happens, it will be easier for the people to access their basic needs. Now, if a bag of cement costs 6,000 or 7,000 kyats in Yangon, that cement will cost more than 20,000 kyats. It is not convenient,” said a person close to the trading community. –