Chobhar Dry Port begins customs clearance of vehicles from Tatopani

 Kathmandu, Mar. 2

The Chobhar Dry Port has begun the customs clearance of the freight vehicles from the Tatopani border from February 27.

Since its operation on 5 April 2022, the Dry Port has been handling customs clearance for containerised cargo and new vehicles arriving only from Birgunj - the southern border with India.

On that day, four containers carrying hydropower equipment, imported by Covec-Cregc-Kalika Joint Venture, arrived directly at Chobhar Dry Port for customs clearance via the Tatopani border for the first time, informed the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB), in a statement on Sunday.

In November 2024, the Ministry of Finance had published a notice in the official gazette, designating the road route for importers who wish to transport goods internally from the Tatopani and Rasuwa customs offices (both at the border with China) to the Chobhar Dry Port for customs clearance.

Previously, only goods from the southern customs offices—Birgunj, Biratnagar, Kakarbhitta and Bhairahawa—were permitted to undergo customs clearance here.

With containerised cargo now arriving from Tatopani as well, activity at the dry port has increased. "This development will further contribute to the port's full-capacity operation," said Ashish Gajurel, Executive Director of the NITDB, an agency under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

He also stated that due to adequate infrastructure, minimal service charges and high-quality services, importers and exporters are expected to use the Dry Port regularly in the coming days.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to facilitate customs clearance for freight vehicles and containers from the Rasuwa border in the future. "Since Chobhar Dry Port offers high-quality services for imported goods arriving in Kathmandu and exports from the surrounding areas, I urge the businesses to make maximum use of the facility," said Gajurel. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 3 March 2025.