The prolonged closure of the Kerung border point for the past five months has caused significant difficulties for Nepali traders.
The border has remained closed since July 9, when floods in the Lende Khola swept away the Miteri Bridge at Rasuwagadhi along the Nepal–China border. As a result, clothing and other goods imported for the festival season have been stuck at the Kerung border.
Former President of the National Trade Association, Saroj Kumar Shrestha, said that nearly 200 containers of goods destined for festivals are stranded at the Kerung border.
“Goods imported from China in July for Dashain are still stuck at Kerung. Traders are facing serious problems due to the halted shipments,” he said.
The Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchok, meanwhile, is operating only partially. The checkpoint, which had been closed due to monsoon-related disruption on the Araniko Highway, came into proper operation only after Tihar. According to Shrestha, the poor operation of both Kerung and Tatopani border points has forced some traders to import goods via the Korala border point in Mustang at high transportation costs.
However, Korala has strict restrictions on vehicle entry. Traders say only four to five trucks per day receive permission to enter China through this route, and with the onset of cold weather, the Korala border is currently closed. Goods brought through Korala must be transported via Mustang and Pokhara before reaching Kathmandu.
Traders also report that due to extreme cold at Korala, vehicles must be kept running continuously, increasing fuel costs. They stress that reopening the Kerung border as soon as possible would ease import challenges.
Former President of the Nepal National Traders’ Federation, Kumar Karki, said Nepal is facing import difficulties because both major Nepal–China border points are not functioning properly.
“When main border points remain closed, traders are forced to use alternative routes, which increases the cost of goods. The government must immediately take action to reopen the border,” he added.
Nepal imports clothing, shoes, cosmetics, electronics, fruits, and automobile parts, among other goods, from China.
According to Rajendra Prasad Chudal, Chief Customs Officer at Tatopani Customs Office, the Tatopani checkpoint has not been receiving goods as expected.
“Even when Kerung was operating, Tatopani used to see 25–30 containers of goods entering daily. Now, Kerung is closed, yet the number of containers entering through Tatopani has decreased instead of increasing,” he said.
During the monsoon, floods and landslides disrupted the Araniko Highway, further affecting trade. Recently, the majority—around 80 percent—of imports through Tatopani Customs have been fruits.
Chudal added that the customs office is in communication with the Chinese Consulate General to facilitate smoother imports.
According to Customs Department spokesperson Kishor Bartoula, despite the closure of Kerung, goods continue to enter Nepal via the Tatopani border point.
“Due to the cold, goods cannot come via Korala. Currently, 30–35 containers of goods are entering daily through Tatopani,” he said.
