Nepal - 2.3.1 Major Border Crossing of Kakarbhitta - Mechi

Overview

Kakarbhitta is the eastern terminus of Nepal's east-west Mahendra Highway at the country's eastern border with Darjeeling District, West Bengal state, India. The Panitanki neighbourhood of Naxalbari is on the other side. It is an open border for Nepali / Indian foot traffic, up to 10,000 people per day. The construction work of 690 meters long open foundation bridge has been completed. The bridge (Mechi/Miteri bridge) over Mechi River in Kakarvitta came into operation on 1st January 2023 it is connected with the Asian Highway with 6-lane road connectivity and 2 & 3-wheeler vehicles are not allowed to travel via this bridge. The width of the new bridge is 22 meters. Roads are good on both sides of the border. The road to Kolkatta is good with a distance of 658 km. Imports from India account for 90% of the traffic at this border crossing. Customs can process up to 150-200 trucks a day.

Kakarbhitta is the 7th largest border crossing point, with 2.87% share of total import value (ref: Dept of Customs, 2019/20).

Border Crossing Location and Contact
Name of Border Crossing	Nepal: Kakarbhitta India: Naxalbari / Pantanki
Province or District	Koshi Province, Mechi Municipality-6, Jhapa District
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing	Mechi (adjacent) Bhadrapur (18 km)
Latitude	26.64611
Longitude	88.15777
Managing Authority / Agency	Immigration Office, Mechi Customs Office
Contact Person	Shree Ram Prasad Regmi Tel: 023-562234 Email: mechi@customs.gov.np

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport	Baghdogra Airport, India Distance: 18 km Truck: 45 minutes Car: 30 minutes
Nearest Port	Calcutta Port, India Distance: 586 km Truck Travel Time: 15 hours Car Travel time: 10 hours
Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity	Silguri, India Distance: 27 km Truck Travel Time: 1 hour Car Travel time: 45 minutes & Panitanki, India Distance: 2 km Truck: 15 minutes Car: 5 minutes
Other Information	The market is 18 kms from Baghdogra Airport. It is very large–it takes 1 hour to travel from the fringes to the centre of the market. Roads to the markets are good with fuel stations on the route. Passengers, 2 & 3 wheeler vehicle crosses using Old Mechi Bridge for shopping at Panitanki or other markets in India. The Asian Highway between Nepal & India is connected by Mechi/Miteri Bridge and heavy-loaded transports and light four-wheeler vehicle crosses the border point of Nepal via Mechi/Miteri Bridge.

Travel Times

Nearest International Airport

Baghdogra Airport, India

Distance: 18 km

Truck: 45 minutes

Car: 30 minutes

Nearest Port

Calcutta Port, India

Distance: 586 km

Truck Travel Time: 15 hours

Car Travel time: 10 hours

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

Silguri, India

Distance: 27 km

Truck Travel Time: 1 hour

Car Travel time: 45 minutes

Panitanki, India

Distance: 2 km

Truck: 15 minutes

Car: 5 minutes

Other Information

The market is 18 kms from Baghdogra Airport. It is very large–it takes 1 hour to travel from the fringes to the centre of the market. Roads to the markets are good with fuel stations on the route.

Passengers, 2 & 3 wheeler vehicle crosses using Old Mechi Bridge for shopping at Panitanki or other markets in India.

The Asian Highway between Nepal & India is connected by Mechi/Miteri Bridge and heavy-loaded transports and light four-wheeler vehicle crosses the border point of Nepal via Mechi/Miteri Bridge.

Hours of Operation
MONDAY	Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00
TUESDAY	Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00
WEDNESDAY	Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00
THURSDAY	Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00
FRIDAY	Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00
SATURDAY	Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00 Note: Closed 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month
SUNDAY	Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00 Note: India Border closed Sunday Bangladesh border closed Friday
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: (List dates of closure and hours of operation if different from regular schedule.)	Generally, 3 days during Dashain (Nepal national festival) and up to another 7 days / year at Government’s discretion. The Customs procedure is closed on Jesth 15 (28 or 29 April every year) on account of New Fiscal Budget Announcement but for services to immigration & passenger remains continue. Note: Will open 24 / 7 for emergencies
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS: (i.e., winter months, rainy season, etc.)	None

Daily Capacity

Operating hours can be extended to 06:00-22:00 for exceptionally high truck traffic if required.
Average clearing time: 2½ hours / truck
There is rarely a backlog. All trucks are cleared daily.

Customs Clearance

Compulsory Document for custom clearance.  

D & T Exemption Certificate  
Performa invoice
Invoice 
AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents- Freights
Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates 
Packing list 
Letter of credit 
Mode of payments (LC/TT/Draft)
Certificate of origin 
Certificate of insurance 
Bill of Lading/Airway Bill for 3rd country imports
Industry Registration Certificates 
EXIM Code. (EXIM Code is mandatory for Commercial trading and not mandatory for humanitarian support goods.
Bill of Entry from Indian Customs Office

Exit Note (TransNepal Freight Service (P) Ltd charges as per their Discharge Rate and Terminal Handling Charges for using Terminal and Warehouse facilities which is linked to ASYCUDA and allowed to exit the vehicles following proper verification.
VCTS
Recommendation letter
Tariff will be imposed on imported goods as per the Integrated Customs Tariff 2080/081 for FY 2080/81 (FY- 2023/024)
GST Bill

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

Other Relevant Information

Foot traffic is mixed with vehicles on the bridge and may present logistics safety issues.
The bridge (approx. 400 m) old one and a new bridge (Mechi or Miteri bridge) constructed over the Mechi River in Kakarvitta which came into operation on 1st January 2023 and has connected Kakadvitta, Nepal and Panitanki of India. This bridge connects the Asian Highway.
A logistical problem would present if both bridges were damaged.

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