Nepal Successfully Tests New ‘Electronic Cargo Tracking System’

Now, the transshipment time for Nepali goods being imported from India is just two weeks, unlike two-three months earlier.

This comes as good news for Nepal trade promotion!

As per the latest reports, Nepal has successfully tested its long-awaited Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) of goods transshipped from India’s Visakhapatnam Port to Birgunj in Nepal!

Now, the port will start ferrying Nepal-bound goods formally from February 15, 2019.

As a result of the GPS-based tracking tool installed last summer, the turnaround time that transshipment incurred by Nepali importers has come down to two weeks from the current two-three months, thus saving time and resources for Nepali traders.

Besides, the new system has also addressed the tampering concerns as the containers will be sealed electronically.

The new development has its roots in June 2017, the period when Nepal and India signed a memorandum to have a tracking system in place to facilitate cargo movement between the two countries, by road and rail from Kolkata to four major customs points of Nepal.

This includes Kolkata-Bhairahawa via Sunauli, Kolkata-Birgunj via Raxaul, Kolkata-Biratnagar via Jogbani and Kolkata-Sirsiya inland container depot via Raxaul.

According to Director of the Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection Purusottam Subedi, the goods that arrive in Nepal through Visakhapatnam Port will now be handed over to the rightful owner through the automatic system without the need for paper procedures.