The trading point resumed operation after the Chinese authority agreed to send stranded containers to Nepal.
Earlier, China had been reluctant to open the trading point, also due to obstruction in its side due to the earthquake, though the road in the Nepal side had already been cleared about three months ago.
Some 200 containers queued up at the customs for clearance on Sunday.
Divya Raj Pokharel, chief of Tatopani Customs Office, said the containers loaded with readymade clothes and shoes will be into Nepal by Sunday evening. “The Chinese customs office in Khasa has begun the process to release Nepal-bound containers, which were stuck in Khasa after the earthquake hit Nepal on April 25 last year," he said, adding that the Chinese authorities have begun releasing imports stranded in Khasa for almost one year after repeated request from traders and on the initiation of the Tatopani Customs Office.
"The earthquake and frequent landslides on the Tatopani section of Araniko Highway had prevented shipment of more than 300 Nepal-bound containers."
In a bid to release stranded Nepal-bound goods, a 13-member team of Chinese officials, including chief of Khasa-based customs office, had arrived Khasa a week ago. They have already held two rounds of meetings with the Nepali officials.
The process to release Nepal-bound goods was halted briefly, after locals halted entry of Nepali containers to Khasa, demanding resumption of the Tatopani customs point forever. They had even organized series of sit-in programs. They ended their protest after authorities assured to move forward to resume trading through the customs office. Following the understanding, nearly 70 containers entered Khasa to load Nepal-bound goods on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Counted as one of the largest custom points of the country, almost Rs 18 billion worth of products are imported to Nepal through Tatopani customs point. Likewise, goods worth around Rs 3 billion are exported from the trade point to China. Moreover, the government has been collecting almost Rs 5 billion from the trade point.
Though the Tatopani-Khasa trade route was not in operation since April last year, the government took initiative to resume the route only after Indian imposed unofficial blockade. Chinese authorities have now showed concern to make shipments of stranded goods. However, it is still not clear whether the route will be opened permanently as China is pushing to bring Rasuwagadhi-Kerung route into operation for bilateral trade.
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