Hundreds of containers of goods destined for Nepal have been delayed at the Nyalam customs in China's Tibet Autonomous Region, resulting in them being stopped in Chinese territory.

According to Buddharaj Basnet, president of the Sindhupalchowk Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about 600 containers are stuck in Nyalam, Khasa and other market areas due to delays in inspection. 'The problem from before Dashain-Tihar has not been resolved yet. Containers carrying goods worth crores of rupees have been stuck in China due to delays. Traders are frustrated, the government should take immediate action,' he said.

According to traders, other containers have been stopped because priority has been given to checking electric vehicles over fruits, clothes and daily necessities.

As the Rasuwa border has been closed since Asad 24, all trade has been diverted to the Tatopani border. However, as the Kodari road was blocked for about two months due to landslides, the goods brought for the festival were stuck there for a long time. Before Dashain, only a few containers entered Nepal through the Corolla border in Mustang.

It is an international practice to provide quick clearance for goods like fruits under the 'green channel' system. But traders are frustrated because Chinese customs officials are unnecessarily delaying and confusing even such goods. According to Rajendra Prasad Chudal, head of the Tatopani Dry Port and Customs Office, the delay is in the process on the Chinese side. 'There is no problem on the Nepal side, the problem is visible on the other side,' he said.

According to businessman Sharda Prasad Parajuli, 170 containers have been stopped in the Chinese customs area alone. 'Around 117 containers are parked on the road from Liping Miteripul to Khasako Ramite,' he said.