After a two-week closure, China on Friday resumed operations of the Kerung border point.

“The customs point on the Chinese side has reopened and import/export activities have resumed,” said Kedar Paneru, chief of the Rasuwa Custom Office. 

Around 15-20 containers entered Nepal on the day, according to the customs office. As the Tatopani-Khasa route, the largest trade corridor between the two countries, has remained closed since the April 25 earthquake, traders have been forced to use the Rasuwgadhi-Kerung route. Traders have been using this route for importing goods from Chinese cities like Guangzhou and Lahsa. 

Before it formally came into operation in December 2014, this border point was used only for cross-border border trade with China’s Tibet autonomous region.

Mainly apple, readymade garment, footwear, toys, herbs like jimbu, cosmetics goods, blanket, thermos, and electronic goods are imported through this border point. Major export items include flour, chilli, beaten rice, broom, noodles, molasses and fruit juice, among others.

Rasuwa Customs Office collected revenues of Rs270 million in fiscal year 2014-15 and it is expected to surge this year. However, traders are facing difficulties in acquiring one-day pass from China to enter to Chinese territory.

A trader from Nuwakot Dharma Lal Shrestha said China has been providing the one-day pass only to the people from Rasuwa. “We have sent suggestions through the Finance Ministry to include the issue one-day pass in the agenda of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s China visit,” said Paneru, adding they have asked Chinese officials to either provide one-day pass to Nepali traders or deliver the imported goods directly to Rasuwagadhi.