KATHMANDU, Feb 16: The Indian government on Friday introduced transshipment procedure using the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, a new procedure facilitating the transport of Nepal bound transit containers from Kolkata/Haldia port.
According to a press statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs of the Government of India, launched such a modality on pilot basis on rail route from Kolkata/Haldia to Birgunj via Raxual Land Customs Station and Biratnagar via Bathnaha Railway Station and Jogbani Land Customs Station.
"This is a significant step towards automating Customs transit facilitation between two countries and renews the commitment of Indian government to improve the transit facilities for Nepali traders," read the press statement.
Over 1,500 empty cargo containers stuck at Birgunj dry port
Under this new modality, the need for Nepali traders to seek permission and file transit declaration is done away with.
"The ECTS offers the facility of sealing the containers using high security electronic seals, having tracking functionality embedded in them. The Nepali traders would immensely benefit out of this new modality as it would ensure safe and secure transit, simplified border formalities reduction in transit time & transaction cost and improved shipment visibility," the embassy said in the statement.
In August 2018, the southern neighbor had introduced similar facility for Nepal bound transit cargo on pilot basis from Vishakhapatnam port.
The first train carrying Nepal-bound transit containers under the new simplified trans-shipment procedure was on Friday jointly flagged off in Kolkata by Kolkata Port Trust Chairman Vinit Kumar, Commissioner of Customs, Kolkata and CG Nepal.
