With the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani trade routes blocked by floods and landslides for the past two months, commercial trade between Nepal and China has shifted to the Korala border point in Mustang. The Korala customs office at Nechung became fully operational on September 15 to facilitate bilateral trade.

According to the Department of Customs (DoC), the government has already collected more than Rs 344.7 million in customs revenue since trade began through Korala. In the first week alone, 209 electric vehicles and 107 cargo trucks carrying goods entered Nepal via this alternative land route.

To streamline operations, the DoC has installed the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) at the checkpoint, while Nepal Rastra Bank has started issuing letters of credit for imports through the new crossing.

Officials say the Korala border is now functioning as an important alternative trade route between Nepal and China until the traditional crossings at Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani are restored.