Dry Port Overview 

Nepal is a land-locked country and relies on the Kolkata Port in India for handling practically all of its imports by sea. Birgunj dry port at Sirsiya, in Province 2, is one of four dry ports (referred to by the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) as Inland Clearance Depots (ICDs)) currently active in the country. The other three active dry ports are Biratnagar, Bhairawa and Nepalgunj ICD. In addition, five more ICDs are planned at Tatopani, Rasuwa, Kathmandu, Kakarbhitta and Dodhara Chandani. The Inland Clearance Depots are connected by road and/or by rail, to a sea port or other international dry port and operate as a centre for transhipment and importation of (sea) cargo to inland destinations into Nepal. Birgunj dry port (Birgunj Inland Container Depot) at Sirsiya is the only dry port in the country connected by railway from Kolkata via Raxaul, India to Sirsiya, Nepal.  

An addition at the Birgunj ICD is the Integrated Check Post (ICP) to facilitate the customs clearance activities. The purpose of the ICP is to integrate efficient customs clearance processes at the authorized border crossing points to facilitate clearance of cargo and people in support of trade between Nepal and India. The ICD and ICP facilities are located next to each other at the border. Both of these facilities are managed by Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB): http://nitdb.gov.np/en/ 

The top three land border crossings in Nepal in terms of import and export value, are (1) Birgunj (Prov.2); 34.64% of import share, (2) Bhairahawa (Prov.5); 16.92 % of import share, (3) Biratnagar (prov.1); 12.25% of import share value during July 2018-May 2019. (Ref: https://www.customs.gov.np) 

Birgunj Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Sirsiya 

The Inland Clearance Depot (ICD) at Sirsiya, Birgunj is the first (and only) terminal in Nepal linked by rail-road to India. On 6 July 2004, NITDB awarded Himalayan Terminal Pvt Ltd the contract to operate and manage the Inland Clearance Depot in Sirsiya. It facilitates the direct movement of containers and break-bulk cargo from Kolkata port and other places in India. It has six full-rake railway sidings. It handles more than 20,000 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) annually. It can store up to 1,568 TEU. It has been constructed on 38 ha (94 acres) land.  

Himalayan Terminal Pvt Ltd (HTPL) is a joint venture company with Indian and Nepalese participation.  

Key port information may also be found at http://www.maritime-database.com 

Port Picture 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) is operating ICP and ICD.  

1. Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) is an Indian public sector company currently engaged in India in the business of providing terminal services and facilities for handling and transportation of containerized cargo by rail, road and coastal shipping, and intermodal logistics services for aggregation and distribution of cargo.  
2. Transworld Group, an Indian Shipping Company.
3. Nepal Transit Warehousing Corporation (NTWC) is in the business of transit cargo and warehouse management at the Kolkata and Haldia port in India and in Raxaul, Birgunj, and Kakervitta in Nepal, it also provides clearing and forwarding services to public sector undertakings in Nepal for exports from and imports into Nepal. 
4. Interstate Multimodal Transport (P) Ltd. (IMTPL) is in the business of international freight forwarding, CHA activities, road transportation of containers and cargo in Nepal 

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Nepal Port and Waterways Companies Contact List

Port Performance 

During June through August, when it is the monsoon season, the dry port is less busy. During festival season (Dashain, Tihar, Chhath in October/November) the dry port is very busy. From December through February, when it is the winter season, the dry port is most busy, because companies start restocking goods after the monsoon season and stockpile goods for the winter season. The dry port can be congested during these months. 

*Number of Trains 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link:  

Sirsiya Inland Container Depot 

Port Handling Equipment 

Port equipment is managed by HTPL.  

Container Facilities 

With the increase in trade activities every year and without the improvement in existing infrastructure, congestion in the Dry port is an issue. Lack of proper warehousing capacity also is a contributing factor as importers can be late to clear their cargo on time. The daily off-take capacity of the port is constrained by a lack of sufficient storage space.  

Customs Guidance 

A new customs clearance process took effect on 2 November 2009, which automates the clearing process and allows for the pre-clearing of goods. It is strongly recommended to pre-clear the goods to save a potential 4- day delay.  

Organizations are able to clear their own goods but it is recommended to use a reputable clearing agent. The clearing of goods takes 2 to 3 business days. 

Main Storage Terminal 

ICD has two warehouses (1. Container Freight Station Shed and 2. Good Shed) of size 7,000 m² and 10,000 m². The Good Shed is divided into a walled section of 300m length and a section with roof without walls of 400m (as shown below in the pictures). NITBD has started upgrading ICD in Birgunj with storage and handling facilities to handle bulk cargo.  

Walled Good Shed of approx. 300 m in length 

 
Unwalled Good Shed of 400m in length 

CFS SHED building and Area 

Port Security 

Birgunj Integrated Check Post (ICP) 

An addition at the Birgunj ICD is the Integrated Check Post (ICP) to facilitate the customs clearance activities. The purpose of the ICP is to integrate efficient customs clearance processes at the authorized border crossing points to facilitate clearance of cargo and people in support of trade between Nepal and India. The ICD and ICP facilities are located next to each other at the border.   

The ICP Birgunj was inaugurated on 7 April 2018. Even though it is relatively new, Birgunj ICP is currently handling 70 percent of the commerce that used to pass through the Birgunj customs point.¹ Based on the first 6 months of FY 75/76 Birgunj Customs contributes largest to the Tax Collection.  

¹Ref: Kathmandu Post - Cargo Volume at Birgunj ICP increases Sharply  

Port website: Birgunj Customs Office 

Key port information may also be found at http://www.maritime-database.com 

Port Picture 

Port Performance 

The port is most busy during festival seasons in October and November (Dashain, Tihar, Chaat). 

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

Main Storage Terminal

1. Warehouse with refrigeration facility (Import side)-approx. 1374 m² 
2. Warehouse (Export side)-approx. 692 m² 
3. Inspection Shed (Import side)-approx. 402 m² 
4. Inspection Shed (Export side)-approx. 234 m² 
5. Confiscated Shed (Import and Export Side)-approx. 100 m² 
6. Animal Sheds (Import side)-approx. 100 m² 
7. processing Sheds total 6 No., One each at Road No. 5,6,7,8 -approx. 1250 m² each 
8. 16 No. processing cabins 4 No. Frisking Cabins and 14 No. Police Post as shown on the plan

Warehousing facility at ICP 

Port Security 

Port security is overseen by 32 Inspectors of Armed Police force and 32 additional Security personnel. The facilities covering the area of 165 acres is well barricaded. There is 1 double storied Security Barrack in 837 m². As a firefighting measure, there is a firefighting system complete with 5 pumps, water storage, supply lines and hydrants on strategic location within the premises.