Nepal - 2.3.8 Minor Border Crossing - Mahakali-Jhulaghat

Nepal - 2.3.8 Minor Border Crossing - Mahakali-Jhulaghat

Overview 

The Mahakali Customs office is the main customs office under the Department of Customs of Nepal for Sudurpashchim province. The office manages the custom related activities of 6 other sub-customs offices in the region. The Mahakali River separates the border between Nepal and India. Both Nepal and India have parallel road on each side of the border, but the roads are not connected and hence this border crossing is inaccessible for vehicles. A small suspension bridge for pedestrians only links the two countries. 

Mahakali-Jhulaghat is a minor border crossing, not rated among the main 23 border crossing points in terms of import share. Therefore, this crossing point is not recommended for cargo import & export. 

  

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Picture: Border Crossing in Jhulaghat, Baitadi in between Nepal-India 

 

 

Border Crossing Location and Contact 

Name of Border Crossing 

 

Nepal: Mahakali   
India: Jhulaghat  

Province or District 

Sudurpaschim Province in Nepal  

Uttarakhand, India 

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing 

Dashrathchand Municipality-Khalanga-Baitadi in Nepal  

Distance 17 km  

Pithauragad in India  

Distance 36 km  

Latitude 

29.80144 

Longitude 

80.46421 

Managing Authority / Agency 

Government of Nepal-Ministry of finance Department of Custom-Mahakali-Jhulaghat Custom Office  

Contact Person 

 

Mr. Anil Jha 
Office No: 9858776506 

Email: mahakali@customs.gov.np 

 

 

The customs office has two small rooms used as warehouses measuring 12 ft x 15 ft  each and an open space area of 7587 m2  available. 

Travel Times 

Nearest International Airport 

Name: Gautam Buddha International Airport, Bhairawaha  

Distance in km:  618 KM 

Truck Travel Time:  16 – 18 hrs 

Car Travel time:  15 hrs 

Nearest Port 

Name: Dashrathchand Municipality-Khalanga Baitadi  

Distance is 17 km 

Truck Travel Time: 45 Minutes  

Car Travel time: 30 Minutes 

Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity 

Name: Dashrathchand Municipality-Khalanga Baitadi  

Distance is 17 km 

Truck Travel Time: 45 Minutes  

Car Travel time: 30 Minutes 

Other Information 

 

Kolkota is the nearest seaport in India side to import and export third country goods 1,478 KM away from Jhulaghat -Mahakali takes 30-32 Hours travel time.  

 

The only one Integrated check post with the port facility is available only in Birgunj- Bara in Nepal, which is 835 KM away from Jhulaghat takes around 20 hour travel time.  

 

Hours of Operation 

Mondays 

 

07:00 AM to 07:00 PM 

Tuesdays 

 

07:00 AM to 07:00 PM 

Wednesdays 

 

07:00 AM to 07:00 PM 

Thursdays 

 

07:00 AM to 07:00 PM 

Fridays 

 

07:00 AM to 07:00 PM 

Saturdays 

 

07:00 AM to 07:00 PM 

Sundays 

 

07:00 AM to 07:00 PM 

National Holidays 

 

Generally, 3 days during Dashain (Nepal national festival) and up to another 7 days / year at Government’s discretion. 
Note: Will open 24 / 7 for emergencies.  

 

Seasonal Constraints  

Flood in Mahakali River during July and August  

Daily Capacity 

The bridge over the Mahakali River is a small suspension bridge and serves only as a pedestrian bridge.  The nearest Indian city close to this border is Pithauragad, which is 36 KM away from Jhulaghat and takes one and half-hour by vehicle.  

Customs Clearance 

Compulsory Document for custom clearance. 

  • D & T Exemption Certificate  

  • Invoice 

  • AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents 

  • Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates 

  • Packing list 

  • Letter of credit 

  • Certificate of origin 

  • Certificate of insurance 

  • Bill of Lading / Airway Bill 

  • Industry Registration Certificates 

  • Permanent Account Number (with VAT Registration and Income Tax Registration if not exempt) 

For more information on customs in Jhulaghat-Baitadi, Nepal, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.   

Other Relevant Information 

In Nepal side, There is a Feeder road F-50 at Jhulaghat, which is connected with Mahakali Highway at Satbanjh, at 37 kilometres (23 mi) of distance. jhulaghat is the end point of Mid-Hills Highway of Nepal which starts at Chiyo Bhanjyang. Chiyo Bhanjyang is a border point between Koshi Province (Nepal) and Sikkim (India). The Mid-Hill highway runs. 1,776 KM through Mid hills of Nepal. The delays at Border Posts can be extensive – from 2 days to a weeklong. This is not an appropriate crossing border point to import and export goods.  

 

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List