KATHMANDU, Sept 6: The government has introduced a provision allowing goods imported through the Mustang Customs Office to be cleared directly at the Chobhar Dry Port in Kathmandu.
According to the Department of Customs (DoC), consignments entering Nepal via the Mustang gateway on the Nepal-China border no longer require clearance at the border entry point. The measure is expected to ease imports from the northern neighbor, particularly as the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi customs points remain closed.
The DoC stated that importers using Mustang Customs will be provided internal transportation facilities to move their goods directly to Chobhar Dry Port. Specific road routes have been designated for freight vehicles, effective until further notice.
Freight trucks will operate along the designated route: Korala border crossing–Nechung (Customs)–Chhusang–Kagbeni–Jomsom–Beni–Kushma–Pokhara–Damauli–Muglin–Kurintar–Naubise–Kalanki–Chobhar Dry Port.
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In case of disruptions, an alternative route via Muglin–Narayanghat–Hetauda–Bhainse–Naubise–Kalanki–Chobhar will be allowed.
For new vehicles brought by road, the temporary route has been fixed as Korala–Nechung (Customs)–Chhusang–Kagbeni–Jomsom–Beni–Kushma–Pokhara–Damauli–Muglin–Narayanghat–Hetauda–Bhainse–Pharping–Chobhar Dry Port.
Trade through Rasuwagadhi-Kerung has been halted after a massive flash flood on August 26 damaged infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli corridor. China has also closed the Tatopani border citing landslide risks on the Nepali side. With both points disrupted, Mustang-Korala remains the only functioning overland trade route with China.
The prolonged closures have triggered shortages and price hikes in the domestic market ahead of the festive season. Traders estimate goods worth over Rs 10 billion imported for Dashain and Tihar were destroyed in the floods.
Ramhari Karki, president of the Trans-Himalayan Trade Association, said consignments of clothes, footwear, cosmetics, electronics, and fruits bound for the festivals were washed away. “Small businessmen who invested Rs 5–6 million per truckload are now homeless,” he said. “The flood has devastated not only traders’ livelihoods but also the entire supply chain on the eve of the festival.”
Traders project that 400–500 cargo ships and empty containers drifted from Chinese territory and the Friendship Bridge area. A similar number of trucks have since been diverted to the Korala route to continue imports from China.
