Port Overview

Nepal is a land-locked country and relies on the Kolkata Port in India for handling practically all of its sea freight imports.  Kolkata Port is India's only riverine port with two dock systems - Kolkata Dock System at Kolkata with the oil wharves at Baj Baj and a deep water dock system at Haldia Dock Complex for seaborne trade. It has sophisticated port and extensive storage facilities for diverse cargo. The container terminal is computerized.  Large volumes of humanitarian aid for Nepal passes through the Kolkata Port, such as WFP’s food. 

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

For more information on port contacts, please see the following links:

 4.4 Nepal Port and Waterways Companies Contact List

Customs and Clearance Agents in Kolkata

Sea Rates Port of Calcutta

World Port Source Port of Kolkata

Port of Kolkata Wikipedia Information 

Port Performance

During 2008-09, Kolkata Port (KoPT) handled traffic of 54.05 million tons compared to 57.3 million tons handled in 2007-08. The decline in traffic is due to the transfer of POL (crude oil) through Paradip-Haldia Pipeline, and a decline in iron ore traffic due to the volatile iron ore market and global economic crisis. During 2008-09, KoPT ranked 5^th amongst all Indian Major Ports in respect of volume of traffic handled (1^st: Kandla – 72.225 million tons; 2^nd: Visakhapatnam - 63.908 million tons; 3^rd: Chennai – 57.491 million tons, 4^th: JNPT – 57.281 million tons). KoPT ranked second among Indian major ports in coke coal handling during 2008-09. The port handled 5.93 million tons and registered a growth of 8.3 percent, higher than the average growth (7.13 percent) registered by Indian major ports. KoPT handled 429,417 TEUs in 2008-09 compared to 425,405 TEUs in 2007-08. Kolkata Port ranked third among Indian Major Ports in respect to containerized cargo handled. By handling 41,379 TEUs, KoPT surpassed its earlier record of 40,220 TEUs handled in February 2008. In August 2008, Kolkata Dock System handled an all-time traffic record. By handling 28,128 TEUs it surpassed its earlier record of 27,562 TEUs handled in August 2007.

Customs Guidance

For more information on customs in Nepal, please see the following link: 1.3 Nepal Customs Information

Dry Port Overview 

Nepal is a land-locked country and relies on the Kolkata Port in India for handling practically all of its imports by sea. Birgunj dry port at Sirsiya, in Province 2, is one of four dry ports (referred to by the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) as Inland Clearance Depots (ICDs)) currently active in the country. The other three active dry ports are Biratnagar, Bhairawa and Nepalgunj ICD. In addition, five more ICDs are planned at Tatopani, Rasuwa, Kathmandu, Kakarbhitta and Dodhara Chandani. The Inland Clearance Depots are connected by road and/or by rail, to a sea port or other international dry port and operate as a centre for transhipment and importation of (sea) cargo to inland destinations into Nepal. Birgunj dry port (Birgunj Inland Container Depot) at Sirsiya is the only dry port in the country connected by railway from Kolkata via Raxaul, India to Sirsiya, Nepal.  

An addition at the Birgunj ICD is the Integrated Check Post (ICP) to facilitate the customs clearance activities. The purpose of the ICP is to integrate efficient customs clearance processes at the authorized border crossing points to facilitate clearance of cargo and people in support of trade between Nepal and India. The ICD and ICP facilities are located next to each other at the border. Both of these facilities are managed by Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB): http://nitdb.gov.np/en/ 

The top three land border crossings in Nepal in terms of import and export value, are (1) Birgunj (Prov.2); 34.64% of import share, (2) Bhairahawa (Prov.5); 16.92 % of import share, (3) Biratnagar (prov.1); 12.25% of import share value during July 2018-May 2019. (Ref: https://www.customs.gov.np) 

Birgunj Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Sirsiya 

The Inland Clearance Depot (ICD) at Sirsiya, Birgunj is the first (and only) terminal in Nepal linked by rail-road to India. On 6 July 2004, NITDB awarded Himalayan Terminal Pvt Ltd the contract to operate and manage the Inland Clearance Depot in Sirsiya. It facilitates the direct movement of containers and break-bulk cargo from Kolkata port and other places in India. It has six full-rake railway sidings. It handles more than 20,000 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) annually. It can store up to 1,568 TEU. It has been constructed on 38 ha (94 acres) land.  

Himalayan Terminal Pvt Ltd (HTPL) is a joint venture company with Indian and Nepalese participation.  

Key port information may also be found at http://www.maritime-database.com 

Port Picture 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) is operating ICP and ICD.  

1. Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) is an Indian public sector company currently engaged in India in the business of providing terminal services and facilities for handling and transportation of containerized cargo by rail, road and coastal shipping, and intermodal logistics services for aggregation and distribution of cargo.  
2. Transworld Group, an Indian Shipping Company.
3. Nepal Transit Warehousing Corporation (NTWC) is in the business of transit cargo and warehouse management at the Kolkata and Haldia port in India and in Raxaul, Birgunj, and Kakervitta in Nepal, it also provides clearing and forwarding services to public sector undertakings in Nepal for exports from and imports into Nepal. 
4. Interstate Multimodal Transport (P) Ltd. (IMTPL) is in the business of international freight forwarding, CHA activities, road transportation of containers and cargo in Nepal 

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Nepal Port and Waterways Companies Contact List

Port Performance 

During June through August, when it is the monsoon season, the dry port is less busy. During festival season (Dashain, Tihar, Chhath in October/November) the dry port is very busy. From December through February, when it is the winter season, the dry port is most busy, because companies start restocking goods after the monsoon season and stockpile goods for the winter season. The dry port can be congested during these months. 

*Number of Trains 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link:  

Sirsiya Inland Container Depot 

Port Handling Equipment 

Port equipment is managed by HTPL.  

Container Facilities 

With the increase in trade activities every year and without the improvement in existing infrastructure, congestion in the Dry port is an issue. Lack of proper warehousing capacity also is a contributing factor as importers can be late to clear their cargo on time. The daily off-take capacity of the port is constrained by a lack of sufficient storage space.  

Customs Guidance 

A new customs clearance process took effect on 2 November 2009, which automates the clearing process and allows for the pre-clearing of goods. It is strongly recommended to pre-clear the goods to save a potential 4- day delay.  

Organizations are able to clear their own goods but it is recommended to use a reputable clearing agent. The clearing of goods takes 2 to 3 business days. 

Main Storage Terminal 

ICD has two warehouses (1. Container Freight Station Shed and 2. Good Shed) of size 7,000 m² and 10,000 m². The Good Shed is divided into a walled section of 300m length and a section with roof without walls of 400m (as shown below in the pictures). NITBD has started upgrading ICD in Birgunj with storage and handling facilities to handle bulk cargo.  

Walled Good Shed of approx. 300 m in length 

 

Unwalled Good Shed of 400m in length 

CFS SHED building and Area 

Port Security 

Birgunj Integrated Check Post (ICP) 

An addition at the Birgunj ICD is the Integrated Check Post (ICP) to facilitate the customs clearance activities. The purpose of the ICP is to integrate efficient customs clearance processes at the authorized border crossing points to facilitate clearance of cargo and people in support of trade between Nepal and India. The ICD and ICP facilities are located next to each other at the border.   

The ICP Birgunj was inaugurated on 7 April 2018. Even though it is relatively new, Birgunj ICP is currently handling 70 percent of the commerce that used to pass through the Birgunj customs point.¹ Based on the first 6 months of FY 75/76 Birgunj Customs contributes largest to the Tax Collection.  

¹ Ref: Kathmandu Post - Cargo Volume at Birgunj ICP increases Sharply  

Port website: Birgunj Customs Office 

Key port information may also be found at http://www.maritime-database.com 

Port Picture 

Port Performance 

The port is most busy during festival seasons in October and November (Dashain, Tihar, Chaat). 

For more information on customs in Nepal, please see the following link: 1.3 Nepal Customs Information

Main Storage Terminal

1. Warehouse with refrigeration facility (Import side)-approx. 1374 m² 
2. Warehouse (Export side)-approx. 692 m² 
3. Inspection Shed (Import side)-approx. 402 m² 
4. Inspection Shed (Export side)-approx. 234 m² 
5. Confiscated Shed (Import and Export Side)-approx. 100 m² 
6. Animal Sheds (Import side)-approx. 100 m² 
7. processing Sheds total 6 No., One each at Road No. 5,6,7,8 -approx. 1250 m² each 
8. 16 No. processing cabins 4 No. Frisking Cabins and 14 No. Police Post as shown on the plan

Warehousing facility at ICP 

Port Security 

Port security is overseen by 32 Inspectors of Armed Police force and 32 additional Security personnel. The facilities covering the area of 165 acres is well barricaded. There is 1 double storied Security Barrack in 837 m². As a firefighting measure, there is a firefighting system complete with 5 pumps, water storage, supply lines and hydrants on strategic location within the premises.   

Dry Port Overview​ 

​​Nepalgunj is a significant border crossing point in East Nepal that is closest to the Indian capital, New Delhi. There is a four-lane highway on both sides of the border.. The Nepalgunj Customs Office is situated in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan Ward No. 16. The Government of Nepal and India are currently constructing an Integrated Check Post (ICP) and Inland Clearance Depo (ICD) in Nepalgunj, which is expected to be completed in 2020. The Inland Clearance Depot will be connected by road to dry ports in India and operate as a centre for transhipment and importation of cargo to inland destinations into Nepal.​ 

​​Nepalgunj is the 6^th largest border crossing point, with 3.84% share of total import value (ref: Dept of Customs, 2018/19). The main goods imported through this border crossing point are petroleum products such as diesel, petrol, LP Gas, automobiles and automobile parts, sugar, rice, coal, cloths, aluminium scrap items, copper scrap, and processed plastic for industrial use. The main goods exported are herbal medicines and buffalo meat.​ 

​​Kolkata is the nearest India seaport for this entry point. The entry point on the Indian side is Rupadiya, Baraise district, Uttar Pradesh.​ ​​​ 

​​Port website: Nepalgunj Customs Office​ 

Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board - Nepalgunj ICP​ 

​​Port Picture​ 

​​​ 

​​ 

​​Description and Contacts of Key Companies​ 

​​​​​For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Nepal Port and Waterways Companies Contact List

​​Port Performance​ 

​​The custom comprises of two warehouses each with the capacity of 2500 m² area, two yards of 1000 m² area and open space of area 7587.9 m^2​ 

​​​​​​​Port Handling Equipment​ 

Container Facilities 

Customs Guidance 

Custom office operates 24 hours/day and 7 days in a week. It takes 2+ business days for custom clearance of goods.  

For more information on customs in Nepalgunj, Banke-Nepal, please see the following link: 1.3 Nepal Customs Information

Port Security 

Port security is overseen by Armed Police force. There are no firefighting equipment like pumps, water storage, supply lines and fire hydrants, fire extinguishers of 10 KG power are installed in 3 locations.    

Port Overview

Bhairahawa Inland Clearance Depot (ICD*) is located at Siddharthanagar, 5 kilometres north of Nepal's southern border with Uttar Pradesh state, India. It is one of 4 dry ports currently in operation: Birgunj ICD at Sirsiya, Bhairahawa ICD, Biratnagar ICD, and Kakarvitta ICD. Bhairahawa ICD is connected to the Port of Kolkata by road. Nautanawa Railway Station (NTV) in Maharajgunj, Uttar Pradesh is 7 km from the border and can be accessed by road (20 mins of travel).

Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) has leased out the management of Bhairahawa ICD to TransNepal Freight Services Pvt. Ltd. who started operation from 17th April 2002. The 10-year lease agreement has been renewed up to 15th April 2022. The Bhairahawa Customs Office ranks 2nd in overall volume of trade of Nepal after Birgunj. Major goods imported through this customs point are petroleum products, (like petrol, diesel and LPG), new vehicles, mild steel billets, rice, vegetables, marble, tiles, and fly ash coal.  

Port website: https://www.transnepaldryport.com/  

Port Picture

Aerial View of Bhairahawa ICD

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

TransNepal Freight Services Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture company with Allcargo Logistics Limited, a multi-national company headquartered in India, which operates across more than 100 countries through over 200 offices globally. TransNepal Freight Services Pvt. Ltd. was incorporated in the year 2002 under the Nepalese Company Act .

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List.

Port Performance

ICD Bhairahawa is busy and congested due to a lack of parking space. During the rainy season the available warehouse and parking space is not enough. The average waiting time between arrival and berthing are 1 to 2 days. The ICD has facilities like warehouses, parking area, and an open yard area but lacks cold storage facilities for perishable goods. 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: Bhairahawa ICD’s Tariffs.

Port Handling Equipment

The port equipment is managed by the operator.

Customs Guidance

The customs clearance process at the dry port of Bhairahawa is automated using the web based ASYCUDA system, which allows for the pre-clearing of goods. Customs pre-clearance of goods takes approximately 1-2 working days. The location of Customs office is within the dry port.

Main Storage Terminal 

Bhairahawa ICD has the capacity to accommodate more than 250 vehicles. There is separate arrangement within the ICD to accommodate tankers carrying petroleum products.

One covered warehouse of 55x25 meter with 1.2-meter-high level platform is used to store containers. Also, to facilitate customs inspection, there are the following sheds:

1. Appraisal shed of 36x24 meter with 1.2-meter-high level platform.
2. Additional shed of 36x24 meter with 1.2-meter-high level platform in Bhairahawa to conduct customs inspection on small vehicles.
3. Warehouse accommodated with electronic weighing scales.
4. Reefer plug points for refrigerator cargoes.
5. A digital weighbridge installed with 100-ton capacity.

Port Security

The port is surrounded by a concrete wall. A CCTV monitoring system and security guards are placed in strategic areas to provide surveillance 24/7. Security is provided by Nepal Armed Police Forces of Nepal Government.

Port Overview

Biratnagar is 7 kilometres (4 mi) North of Nepal's southern border with Bihar State, India.

Biratnagar Customs Office ranks 3^rd  in overall volume of trade of Nepal after Birgunj and Bhairahawa. There are nine sub-customs offices under its jurisdiction. Major imported goods through this custom are petroleum products like diesel, petrol, LPG; crude soya-bean oil, motorcycles, betel nuts, mild steel billets, iron structures, coal, and glazed tiles. Major exported goods are betel nuts, cardamom, woven fabrics, jute sacks, G.I. wire, PP GI coil, dyed yarn, jute hessian fabric, brass strip in coils, and corrugated galvanized iron sheets. The Biratnagar Inland Clearance Depot (ICD) at the border is well connected to the gateway ports of Kolkata (600 kms) by road or by rail till Jogbani, Bihar. It is one of four dry ports currently in operation: Birgunj ICD at Sirsiya, Bhairahawa ICD, Biratnagar ICD and Kakarvitta ICD.

Port website: https://www.transnepaldryport.com

Port Picture

Aerial View of Biratnagar ICD

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

TransNepal Freight Services Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture company with Allcargo Logistics Limited, a multi-national company headquartered in India which operates across more than 100 countries through over 200 offices globally. TransNepal Freight Services Pvt. Ltd. was incorporated in the year 2002 under the Nepalese Company Act, and started operation from 17^th  April 2002 by taking over operation and management of the two ICDs’ at Biratnagar and Bhairahawa on lease for a period of ten years from Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board. The 10-year lease agreement has been renewed up to 15th April 2022.

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List.

Port Performance

The Port is currently not congested. The average waiting time between arrival and discharge is 1 to 2 days. 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: Biratnagar ICD’s Tariff and storage rates.

Port Handling Equipment

The port equipment is managed by the operator. The port has transitioned to mechanical port handling equipment from using manual labor to handle cargoes as the volume of cargoes passing through has increased.

Container Facilities

The space available for container is sufficient, but Port does not have refrigerated container station and a storage related to cold store.

Customs Guidance

The customs clearance process at the dry port of Biratnagar is automated using the web based ASYCUDA system, which allows for the pre-clearing of goods. Customs pre-clearance of goods takes approximately 1-2 working days. The location of the Customs office is within the dry port.

Main Storage Terminal

The Port has a warehouse, parking, and open yard areas as listed below. The port does not have cold storage facilities and does not have a specific area designated for humanitarian cargo.

ICD has two warehouses (1. Container Freight Station Shed and 2. Good Shed). NITDB has started ICP in Biratnagar with storage and handling facilities to handle bulk cargo.  

The Biratnagar Dry Port's facilities include:

• One Reefer plug points for refrigerator cargoes
• A covered warehouse of 55 x 25 m with 1.2 m high level platform
• An additional fully covered warehouse of similar size
• A digital weighbridge installed 100-ton capacity 
• Warehouses accommodated with Electronic Weighing Scales
• A vacant area for adding up to 3,900 m² warehousing / parking area for holding 150 TEUs.
• A parking area for 80 trucks

Port Security

The port is surrounded by a concrete wall. A CCTV monitoring system and security guards are placed in strategic areas to provide surveillance 24/7. Security is provided by Nepal Armed Police Forces of Nepal Government and a third-party security company.

Integrated Check Post Biratnagar (ICP)

Port Overview

Aerial view of ICP Biratnagar

Biratnagar ICP is a newly erected infrastructure in the country and came into operation from February 2020. It is spread over 216 acres of land. It houses cargo building, cold storage, terminal building, restaurant, Customs, immigration, quarantine, banks, currency exchange, warehouse, litigation shed and parking that are required for the clearance of goods and movement of people from a single location, thereby reducing trading cost for traders.

It is 2 Km South of Biratnagar ICD and 14.8 Km South of Biratnagar Airport. 

Port Overview

Kakarbhitta ICD is in Mechinagar municipality. Mechinagar is in the  Jhapa District, Province No. 1, Nepal and is the main entry point from India on Nepal's eastern border. Kakarbhitta is the 7th largest border crossing point, with 2.72% share of total import value (ref: Dept of Customs, 2019/20).

The port was built to boost Nepal’s exports to Bangladesh. The port is 600 km / 15 hours truck travel time from the port of Kolkota. It is spread over 7.5 hectares of land. Currently, the major imports are clinker and gypsum needed for cement manufacturing.

Port Pictures

Warehouse

Storage shed

Weighbridge

Truck parking / holding space

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Port Performance

The port handles around 80-90 trucks a day and normally doesn’t experience congestion.

• Total Area: 7.5 hectares
• Daily average:  80-90 trucks per day
• Opening hours: Every day from 6 am to 10 pm
• Handling Equipment: The port does not have mechanized handling equipment but as of now human labour has been adequate.
• Space Capacity: The port does not have mechanized handling equipment but as of now human labour has been adequate

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges: Service rate declared by Operation committee of Nepal Intermodal Transportation Development Board on 24^th November 2019 for Kakarbhitta ICD.

Port Handling Equipment

Daily labourers handle the transportation of goods within the port.

Container Facilities 

Main Storage Terminal 

• Cemented truck parking capacity: 100 trucks in 18800 sq.m
• Warehousing space: 1,395 Sq. m
• Two customs inspection sheds:  1,780 Sq. m
• Litigation house:  233 Sq. m
• There are no forklifts available.
• 100 MT weighbridge available

Port Security

Gorkhali Yoddha security services provide security 24/7. The premise of the facility is secured by 8-9 ft. of concrete brick wall. There is no firefighting equipment. In case of emergency, the fire brigade located 4 km away from the port is contacted.

Port Overview

Tatopani Inland Clearance Depot (ICD) is located in Tatopani village, Sindhupalchok, Bagmati Province, directly on Nepal’s northern border with China, 114 km North East of Kathmandu. Tatopani and Rasuwa in Langtang are Nepal’s two main border crossing points with China. Construction of the Tatopani ICD included improvement of the 112-meter-long bridge over the Bhotekoshi River and a 6.5 KM road track that connects the two countries.

The entry point was closed from January 27 to March 29, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, the Araniko Highway leading to Tatopani has been frequently blocked for all traffic due to large active landslides. The road has been re-opened, but the landslide risk remains high, especially during monsoon season.

Port website: Tatopani ICD.

Port Pictures

Aerial view of Tatopani ICD

International Standard Inland Container Depot at Tatopani, Sindhupalchok. Picture Source: New Spotlight Online

Description of Key Companies

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List.

Port Performance

Major goods imported via the checkpoint are medicines, fruits, electronic appliances, ready-made garments and shoes. The movement of cargo happens between 10 am to 8 pm.

• Maximum trucks: 70-80 per day
• Daily average:  10-15 per day
• Average clearing time: 3-4 hrs / truck
• There is rarely a backlog. All trucks are cleared daily. 

Congestion and in-access of the custom point can happen as a result of landslides blocking the Araniko highway, the only route to and from the Tatopani ICD.  

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please refer to this document: Service rate declared by Operation committee of Nepal Intermodal Transportation Development Board and approved by Nepal Transit and Warehousing Company Ltd for Tatopani ICD.