Five-month closure of Kerung border hits Nepali traders hard

KATHMANDU: The prolonged closure of the Kerung border point for the past five months has severely affected Nepali traders.

The checkpoint has remained shut since July 8, when flooding in the Lende River swept away the Miteri Bridge at Rasuwagadhi, disrupting Nepal–China trade.

Goods imported from China for major festivals—including clothing and other essentials—have been stuck at the border for months. Former president of the National Trade Association, Saroj Kumar Shrestha, said nearly 200 containers of festival goods remain stranded at Kerung. “Materials imported in July for Dashain are still stuck at the border. Traders are facing huge losses,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sindhupalchok’s Tatopani border point is operating only partially. It resumed after Tihar, following months of disruption due to monsoon-triggered landslides along the Araniko Highway.

With both major border points—Kerung and Tatopani—functioning poorly, some traders have been forced to import goods through Mustang’s Korala border at high transport costs. However, Korala has imposed strict controls, allowing only four to five cargo vehicles into China daily. The checkpoint is now closed due to extreme cold, requiring vehicles to keep engines running and causing high fuel expenses.

Traders have urged the government to open the Kerung border immediately to ease imports.

Outgoing president of the Nepal National Traders’ Federation, Kumar Karki, said the closure of the two major border points has affected the flow of imports. “Using alternative routes increases the cost of goods. The government must take immediate steps to reopen the main checkpoints,” he stated.

Nepal imports clothing, footwear, cosmetics, electronics, fruits, and automobile parts, among other goods, from China.

Rajendra Prasad Chudal, Chief Customs Officer at Tatopani, said imports through Tatopani remain below expectations. “Even when Kerung was open, Tatopani processed 25–30 containers a day. Now, instead of increasing, the volume has decreased,” he said.

Monsoon-induced landslides across the country also affected the Araniko Highway. According to Tatopani Customs Office, around 80% of recent imports from China have been fruits. Chudal said continuous communication with the Nepali Consulate in China is underway to ensure smoother import procedures.

Customs Department Information Officer Kishor Bartauala confirmed that although Korala is closed due to cold, imports through Tatopani continue. “Tatopani is handling around 30–35 containers daily,” he said.