Topics 13 & 14 · Logistics

Air Cargo & CFS Requirements

Nepal exports move by air (Tribhuvan International Airport) and sea (via Kolkata ICD/CFS). Know the requirements for both.

Export Guide →
Air Cargo (TIA) Sea / CFS (Kolkata) ICD / Dry Port Dangerous Goods Freight Forwarders

Air Cargo at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)

Export Process at TIA

1
Book cargo with airline or freight forwarder
Book space 2–3 days in advance for cargo flights. Airlines: Qatar Airways, Turkish, Emirates, Nepal Airlines carry most air cargo from TIA.
2
Prepare export documents
Commercial invoice, packing list, AWB (Air Waybill), Certificate of Origin, phytosanitary cert (for plant products), DFTQC cert (for food).
3
Submit to Nepal Customs (TIA)
File customs export declaration via ASYCUDA World system (Nepal Customs online). Your freight forwarder usually handles this.
4
Security screening
All cargo screened by CAAN (Civil Aviation Authority Nepal). Special rules for batteries, liquids, food products. Bring cargo to TIA Cargo Complex at least 4 hours before flight.
5
Get Air Waybill (AWB)
AWB is proof of shipment. Required for LC payment claim and export incentive application at TEPC.

Air Cargo Rates & Contacts

RouteRate (approx)Transit
KTM → DelhiUSD 2.5–4/kg1 day
KTM → DubaiUSD 3–5/kg1–2 days
KTM → FrankfurtUSD 4–7/kg2–4 days
KTM → New YorkUSD 5–9/kg3–5 days
KTM → TokyoUSD 5–8/kg2–4 days
TIA Cargo Complex: Located south of main terminal. Open 6 AM – 6 PM (check with your forwarder for after-hours). CAAN: +977-1-4113400. Contact a licensed freight forwarder for current rates — they change seasonally.

Sea Export via Kolkata — CFS Procedures

Nepal is landlocked. Sea exports transit India via road to Container Freight Stations (CFS) in Kolkata, then ship to global destinations.

Route: Nepal → Kolkata → World

1
Nepal export customs clearance
File PRC at Nepal Customs. Transit declaration (T-declaration) for goods moving through India.
2
Road transport to Kolkata CFS
Common crossing points: Kakadbhitta–Panitanki (East), Birgunj–Raxaul (Central), Nepalgunj–Rupaidiha (West). Transit time: 2–5 days by truck.
3
India transit customs (bond)
Goods move under customs bond through India. India Customs clears transit at border — your freight forwarder manages this. Pay transit guarantee/bond.
4
CFS stuffing at Kolkata
Container is stuffed at CFS. LCL (Less than Container Load) or FCL (Full Container). Major CFS: CONCOR, Balmer Lawrie, CIWTC at Kolkata.
5
Sea shipment
Container loads to vessel at Kolkata Port / Haldia. Shipping lines: MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO.

Sea Freight Rates (LCL)

RouteRate (per CBM)Transit
Kolkata → DubaiUSD 40–80/CBM12–18 days
Kolkata → RotterdamUSD 80–150/CBM25–35 days
Kolkata → Los AngelesUSD 100–200/CBM30–45 days
Kolkata → TokyoUSD 60–120/CBM18–25 days
⚠️
Nepal-to-Kolkata truck cost (NPR 30,000–80,000 per truck) must be added to total logistics cost. Budget 7–15 days extra for Nepal + India transit before your sea shipment departs.

Nepal ICDs / Dry Ports

Nepal's Inland Container Depots (ICDs) allow customs clearance within Nepal — goods are sealed in containers and move directly to Kolkata under customs bond.

ICD / Dry PortLocationBorder CrossingServices
ICD SirsiyaBirgunj, ParsaBirgunj–RaxaulFull customs, container yard, rail link to Kolkata
ICD KakarbhittaJhapa, KoshiKakadbhitta–PanitankiCustoms, container stuffing, trade facilitation
ICD BiratnagarMorang, KoshiBiratnagar–JogbaniContainer handling, customs clearance
ICD BhairahawaRupandehi, LumbiniBhairahawa–SunauliCustoms, storage, road transit
Rasuwagadhi ICPRasuwa, BagmatiRasuwagadhi–Gyirong (China)Nepal–China trade, limited cargo capacity
ICD Sirsiya advantage: Direct rail link from Birgunj to Kolkata Port reduces transit risk and cost compared to road. Rail transit takes 3–4 days vs 2–3 days by truck, but much lower damage risk. Managed by Nepal Container Terminal (NCT).

Dangerous Goods & Restricted Exports

Air Cargo Restrictions (IATA)

❌ Prohibited on passenger aircraft: explosives, flammable liquids (>1L), compressed gases, corrosives, radioactive material
⚠️ Requires IATA DG declaration: lithium batteries (all sizes), perfumes >1L, alcohol >70% ABV, paint/solvents
✅ Allowed with proper labeling: dry ice, small lithium batteries in devices, non-flammable aerosols
Key rule: Any product with alcohol content >24% ABV requires dangerous goods declaration. Himalayan herbal tinctures often affected.

Nepal Export Restrictions

❌ Prohibited exports: antiques (>100 years old), wildlife/CITES-listed species, certain medicinal plants (sanjiwan, yarsagumba quantity limits), certain minerals without license
⚠️ Requires special permit: Yarsagumba (cordyceps) — DFTQC export permit + quantity limits. Pashmina raw fiber — only processed pashmina exportable. Timber — forestry export permit.
CITES compliance: Any product made from protected species needs CITES permit from Department of Forests.

Working with Freight Forwarders

A good freight forwarder saves time, reduces customs headaches, and handles paperwork across both Nepal Customs and Indian Customs for sea routes.

What a Freight Forwarder Does

📋 Prepare customs export documentation (PRC, invoice, packing list)
🚛 Arrange inland transport to airport or ICD
🚢 Book sea/air space with carriers
🇮🇳 Manage India transit customs (bond, escorted transit)
📦 Arrange CFS stuffing at Kolkata
🧾 Issue Bill of Lading / Air Waybill to exporter
📑 Provide freight insurance (if arranged)

Choosing a Freight Forwarder

✅ NFFA membership — Nepal Freight Forwarders Association (nffa.org.np). Members follow code of conduct.
✅ IATA license — required to issue air waybills directly (faster, cheaper)
✅ Indian agent network — crucial for sea exports. Ask who their Kolkata CFS partner is.
✅ Track record with your commodity — food/perishables, handicrafts, industrial goods all have different requirements. Use a specialist.
⚠️ Get 3 quotes before committing. Price differences of 20–30% are common.