Shipping cargo into Nepal by sea route is the best choice from a financial perspective for bulk
shipments. The process can actually be very smooth if you have the right freight forwarder
handling it.
At Namaste Cargo Nepal, we handle the complete shipping of goods from sea and land
routes for our customers. As Nepal does not have a sea port, all cargo from sea is transported
from India through the Kolkata (Haldia) Sea port. It is then brought by road/rail to Nepal
through the Birgunj Dry Port.
No matter what type of cargo you intend to ship from any part of the world to Nepal,
Namaste Cargo Nepal can do that for you.
Should you be importing a shipment that fills a 20ft or 40ft container, then an FCL is the most logical way to go. The whole container will be yours alone, which means that your goods are less likely to sustain damages, no need to share the space, and faster clearance. It also becomes cheaper per unit when used regularly by frequent importers.
Not every importer has a full load in their hands. In the case of the LCL, your cargo will occupy some space in a container together with other shippers’ cargo; you will be paying only for the cubic metres you utilize. The minimum volume will be 2 CBM, or 340 kg. This is an ideal way to go about things for start-up companies, first-time importers, and even if you are looking to test some products.
We are a registered NVOCC service provider, hence able to negotiate competitive prices with big shipping lines such as Maersk and MSC on behalf of our many importers.
All imports of sea cargo to Nepal must pass through Birgunj Dry Port (ICD Sirsiya).
We will be present there to provide transloading services, customs clearance, and land freight to Kathmandu and other destinations.
For land freight of goods imported from India or China, our company provides a direct
land freight service through Nepal’s key border crossings: Birgunj (Raxaul), Bhairahawa (Sunauli), Kakarbhitta (Jogbani), and others. In case of imports from China, our company will organize
land freight through the border crossings Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi.
There is a defined process through which the imported sea cargo in Nepal travels. This is how it goes.
Inform us about the items to be imported, the country of origin, and an estimation of the weight and/or volume. Container availability will then be checked, and you will be sent a detailed quote for all services, including freight, customs clearance, and delivery charges.
Cooperate with your overseas seller or local agent in the originating country for the purpose of cargo collection, packing, and loading at the origin port. Your cargo gets loaded into a full container load (FCL) or a less than container load (LCL).
The cargo leaves its origin port and heads towards Kolkata (Haldia) Port, West Bengal, India.
Our agents in Kolkata assist you with port clearance, container checking and release of cargo
to Nepal.
The container from Kolkata/Haldia reaches the Birgunj Dry Port (around 1,300 km)
by road or rail. It usually takes 5-10 days to cover this distance.
Through our licensed customs brokers stationed at Birgunj ICD, we arrange your declaration of import through Nepal Customs ASYCUDA system. Your customs duty and VAT will be calculated and then paid on your behalf.
We ascertain your customs duty and VAT liabilities, arrange payments, and ensure prompt clearance of your shipments.
Delivery of your goods directly from Birgunj dry port to your destination city, Kathmandu.
Pokhara, Biratnagar, Chitwan, and all other cities of Nepal.
All documents are prepared and checked by our custom department. The following documents are normally required:
Commercial Invoice – should have HS Code, unit cost, and CIF value
Bill of Lading (B/L) – can be either original or express release B/L by the shipper
Packing List – detailed list of packages including weight and measurement
Customs Clearance Document – done electronically through Nepal Custom ASYCUDA System
Certificate of Origin – required for duty exemption based on trade agreement
Letter of Credit/Proforma Invoice – required for bank documentation purpose
Import License – required for some restricted items like vehicle, telecommunications, chemicals, etc.
Insurance Certificate – certificate proving your insurance for your cargo shipment
Phytosanitary Certificate – for agricultural products, seeds and plants
Test Report/Quality Certificate – for certain specific products
Contact us before your supplier ships – the reason why most shipments get delayed at customs is because of missing or wrong documentation from the origin end.
Sea imports are not complicated however, there are quite a few components involved.
The key advantage of using a good freight forwarder is that you do not have to handle it
any of these yourself.
What we offer:
One point of contact from origin to delivery– our team takes care of your shipments with shipping lines, port agents, customs and transport
NVOCC registered– our access to better freight rates means better pricing for you
Customs clearance specialists– based in Birgunj and Kathmandu
Proven port agents in Kolkata/Haldia – rapid customs clearance
Competitive FCL/LCL rates in all major trading routes into Nepal
Real time tracking of your shipments – you are aware of its location at all times
Door to door delivery across the whole of Nepal on one invoice only
Expertise in handling all types of cargo including machinery, vehicles, consumer goods, bulk raw materials and hazardous products
Imports to Nepal pass through Kolkata (Haldia) port in India. Sometimes, Visakhapatnam
port is used, depending on the route and country of origin. Cargo moves from the Indian
port via land transport to Birgunj Dry Port (ICD Sirsiya) that borders Nepal, and further
to Kathmandu or elsewhere.
Yes, definitely cheaper for large and bulky shipments. Air shipment is priced according
to weigh and is fast but very costly. Sea freight is priced by volume and is extremely
cheaper compared to air freight in anything above about 300 – 500 kg. Time-wise, it
takes 20 – 45 days for sea freight, compared to 3 -10 days for air freight, depending
on origin point.
FCL (Full Container Load) means that your cargo occupies the whole container, either 20ft
or 40ft container. LCL (Less than Container Load) means that you share the shipping
container with other importers and pay only for your share of space.
In Nepal, the customs duty is charged based on the CIF price (Cost + Insurance +
Freight) of the imported goods at the prescribed customs duty rate for your product.
VAT will be charged on the total of that figure. The exact amount of duty is
calculated by our customs brokers for your cargo.
Yes, we take care of all kinds of FCL imports of vehicles, bikes, heavy machinery,
construction machinery and plant into Nepal. In case of vehicles, import license from
the Department of Commerce will also be needed which we arrange for you.
Please provide us with your cargo details including the type of the cargo,
source of your cargo and weight/volume details of your cargo. We will provide you
with a quote and further assistance on this.
Are you ready to get your products shipped to Nepal? Contact us now and we will provide you with a full quote for ocean freight, customs, and delivery right to your door!
📍 Paknajol Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu 44600
📞 +977 9801006432 | 01-4700720
💬 WhatsApp: +977 9801006432
