KATHMANDU: Nearly 800 electric vehicles (EVs) have been imported into Nepal through the Korala checkpoint in Mustang over the past two weeks.
According to the Mustang Customs Office, 791 EVs have entered the country since the checkpoint came into operation on September 15. Chief Customs Officer Ramesh Khadka said that 769 units have already completed customs clearance and reached their destinations, while the remaining 22 are in the process of being cleared.
The EVs imported include BYD Atto 1, Atto 2, Jaecoo J5 and Leapmotor B10, among others. Along with vehicles, 311 shipping containers of goods have also arrived from China in the same period.
Of these, 246 containers have been cleared, while 65 are still awaiting clearance. The imported goods include clothes, cosmetics, electronics and other daily-use items.
Khadka informed that revenue collection has been significant, with Around Rs 1.37 billion was collected in just two weeks. Exports have also begun from Korala, with five containers of handicrafts and local products sent to China.
The customs office at Nhechung, Lomanthang Rural Municipality-2, has been equipped with the Automated System of Customs Data (ASYCUDA) and will remain open at all times, except on Dashain Tika day. Traders can also pay customs revenue through Prabhu Bank in Lomanthang.
Korala has become an alternative trade route after Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi checkpoints with China remained closed for the past two months. Although transporting goods through Korala takes more time and cost compared to those routes, it is still cheaper than bringing goods via sea through India. This has encouraged traders to shift their imports to Korala for the first time.
