April 10: Tatopani Customs Point has come into operation since Wednesday. The customs point with China was closed since January 27 due to the outbreak of coronavirus in China. Trucks loaded with sanitizers and masks entered Nepal from the border point on Wednesday evening.

Tatopani is one of the two major customs point with China. The other one is Rasuwagadhi Customs Point which still remains closed. The government had last week announced to open both the vital border points. However, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies informed that China is unwilling to open any other border point except Tatopani.

“China has agreed to supply essential goods for the time being. But it is not ready to open any other customs point,” said Baikuntha Aryal, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. He added that Nepal is making diplomatic efforts to open other border points.

The Tatopani Customs Point was opened after setting up a health desk as per the requirement of the World Health Organisation’s standard, informed Chief District Officer (CDO) of Sindhupalchowk district Umesh Kumar Dhakal. He said that the border was opened only to import essential goods.

According to chief of the customs office Lal Bahadur Khatri, the Chinese police had transported the masks and sanitizers till the border. “A Nepalese vehicle went across the Friendship Bridge to pick up the goods. The consignment has already reached Kathmandu,” said Khatri.

Khatri informed that although the Chinese government has only allowed transport of essential goods in the first phase, both sides are making preparations to open the customs point for commercial shipments.

The border was closed in late January due to the massive spread of coronavirus in China. The customs point was bearing losses of Rs 10 million on an average per day due to the closure of the vital border point.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities in Kerung across the Rasuwagadhi border, were positive about opening the border after  making necessary preparations for health check up and quarantine facilities for drivers until a week ago. However, they made a u-turn recently stating that they have received orders from above not to open the border point.

Director General of the Department of Customs Suman Dahal said that although they had made preparations to open the border with high security, it was not possible as the Chinese government did not agree to open any other border point besides Tatopani. According to him, eight customs point along Nepal-China border are currently closed.

Nepal started importing goods from China through Rasuwagadhi customs point since the last four years after India imposed a blockade.