Korala border customs collects Rs 1.78 billion in 15 days as imports surge

Mustang, September 13, 2026 — The Mustang Customs Office at Nechung in Lo Manthang-4 has collected Rs 1.7844 billion in revenue in just 15 days as imports of Chinese goods through the Korala border have surged following the closure of the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung and Tatopani border crossings.

The customs office collected Rs 271.1 million in revenue on Friday alone. Daily collections have averaged around Rs 300 million since August 28, reflecting a sharp increase in trade activity through the northern border point.

On Friday, customs officials completed clearance for 71 containers and 106 electric vehicles (EVs). Between August 26 and September 10, a total of 434 containers and 641 EVs passed through customs via Korala.

With the latest collections, total revenue generated through the Korala border point from mid-July to September 10 in fiscal year 2026/27 has reached Rs 2.3144 billion.

The increase in trade follows the closure of the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung and Tatopani border crossings, prompting importers to use Korala as an alternative route for bringing Chinese goods into Nepal.

The Korala border crossing has undergone a significant expansion in its role in Nepal-China trade. Before October 2023, the crossing was open only to residents of Upper Mustang. The Government of Nepal officially opened it as an alternative import-export border point on September 17, 2024.

Mustang Customs collected Rs 6.92 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2025/26. The latest surge in collections through Korala indicates the growing importance of the border point in Nepal's northern trade network.