The Mustang Customs Office, situated at Lomanthang-4, Nhechung, reported collecting Rs 1.78 billion in revenue over the last 15 days alone. Office Chief Bidur Chudal attributed the sharp spike to a diversion of trade traffic after floods in the Bhotekoshi River completely disrupted operations at the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung and Tatopani border points.
Trade activity through the remote northern checkpoint has intensified significantly since September 7, with daily revenue collections averaging around Rs 300 million. On Friday alone, the office recorded a single-day collection of Rs 27.11 crore, clearing 71 containers and 106 electric vehicles for their destinations.
Data from the customs office shows that between August 24 and September 11, a total of 434 containers and 641 electric vehicles entered Nepal via Korala—a steep increase from the 133 containers and 163 electric vehicles recorded as of August 23. Cumulatively, the checkpoint generated Rs 2.31 billion in revenue from vehicle and goods inspections between August 10 and September 10 of the current fiscal year 2083/84.
Originally operational only for local residents of Upper Mustang, the Korala checkpoint was designated as an alternative international import-export transit point on September 14, 2082 BS, following extensive road damage caused by floods at traditional trading routes.
In the previous fiscal year 2082/83, the Mustang Customs Office collected Rs 6.92 billion in total revenue, facilitating the clearance of 3,223 electric vehicles and 1,873 containers alongside imports valued at Rs 14.41 billion and exports worth Rs 205 million.
