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. |
|
Hours of Operation |
|
|---|---|
|
MONDAY |
Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 |
|
TUESDAY |
Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 |
|
WEDNESDAY |
Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 |
|
THURSDAY |
Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 |
|
FRIDAY |
Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 |
|
SATURDAY |
Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 |
|
SUNDAY |
Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 |
|
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: |
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. |
|
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS: |
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.
Pictures
|
Aerial view of Border crossing with 1. Immigration Office of kakarbhitta, (2) Mechi Customs Office, (3) Mechi Bridge |
|
Updated Aerial view of Border crossing with Immigration Office of kakarbhitta, Mechi Customs Office, and both Mechi Bridge
|
|
Mechi/Miteri bridge over Mechi River at Kakarvitta ICD & Customs Office
|
|
Over to India via Miteri Bridge at Kakarvitta
|
|
Mechi Customs Office, Kakarvitta, Jhapa, Koshi Province
|
|
Asian Highway that connects Nepal and India at Kakarvitta Border point
Truck parking and shade storage |
|
Truck parking and shade storage |
|
Warehouse storage |
|
Way to Old Mechi bridge and river. |
