Kathmandu – With Nepal’s two main trade routes with China — Tatopani and Rasuwa — still blocked, business activities have now started through the Korala border point, bringing some relief to traders ahead of the Dashain festival.
According to customs officials, regular trade through Korala began today after Nepal Telecom installed internet service at the checkpoint, allowing customs clearance to start. On the first day, two containers entered Nepal while two containers were sent to China.
Currently, around 21–22 electric vehicles are waiting at Korala for customs clearance. Officials said the process is delayed due to banking procedures but clearance is expected by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Customs Director General Shyam Bhandari confirmed that the Korala border is now open, adding that imports through the route will at least partly ease the shortage of goods caused by the closure of Tatopani and Rasuwa.
The Rasuwa border has been closed since July 8 due to floods and landslides, while Tatopani has remained blocked for about 46 days because a 35-meter road section at Kodari has not been repaired. More than 1,500 containers are stuck at China’s Nyalam yard.
As a result, industries and traders in Nepal are struggling to get raw materials and finished goods. Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Kamlesh Agrawal said the closure of both main borders has seriously disrupted trade cycles, with industries facing heavy losses and export orders being cancelled.
For example, Goldstar Shoes reported that four of its containers are waiting for clearance at Chinese customs, while ten more have been stuck in Nyalam for over a month. The company said production has dropped due to raw material shortages, leaving them unable to meet local market demand. Goldstar alone has over Rs. 500 million worth of raw materials stranded in China.
Traders say importing goods through Tatopani is not possible right now, as bridges have also been damaged by monsoon rains. Many are therefore turning to the Korala route and are preparing to restart shipments through Rasuwa once conditions allow.
To handle the workload at Korala, the Department of Customs has deployed additional staff, including one deputy officer and one customs officer, to make clearance easier.
