💰 Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Nepal is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
📋 Service Details
What to expect on the China–Nepal Sea Freight lane
We move door-to-door sea freight from South China into Nepal. Cargo enters through Landlocked — via Kolkata/Haldia (India) or the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani land crossings from Tibet and clears with Department of Customs, Nepal, which takes 5–12 days on average.
Nepal has two very different routings. Sea cargo normally moves to Kolkata or Haldia and then crosses at Birgunj under Indian transit rules, which is slow but cheap. The direct land crossings from Tibet at Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani are much shorter but have limited capacity and are weather- and policy-sensitive. Air via Kathmandu is the reliable option for time-critical goods.
Route facts
| Destination country | Nepal |
|---|---|
| Region | South Asia |
| Mode | Sea Freight |
| Gateways used | Landlocked — via Kolkata/Haldia (India) or the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani land crossings from Tibet |
| Transit, China to gateway | 18–28 calendar days via Kolkata transit |
| Clearance / dwell | 5–12 days |
| Peak season | Aug–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Kathmandu — capital and the destination for most imports. Via KTM air / Kolkata transit; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Lalitpur — adjoining city in the Kathmandu valley. Via KTM air / Kolkata transit; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Pokhara — tourism and western regional centre. Via KTM air / Kolkata transit; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Birgunj — the main land border and dry port with India. Via KTM air / Kolkata transit; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Biratnagar — eastern industrial city. Via KTM air / Kolkata transit; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Bhairahawa — western border trade point. Via KTM air / Kolkata transit; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
Track your shipment
Enter your tracking number below
Powered by 17TRACK — supports 2,000+ carriers worldwide
ℹ️ Additional Information
Duty, tax and documents for Nepal
VAT 13%; customs duty 5–80% depending on commodity, plus excise on selected goods. The de-minimis position is No practical de-minimis.
Conformity: Import licence for controlled goods; Nepal Bureau of Standards approval for regulated products.
Known friction points: Indian transit adds a separate bonded movement and its own documentation set. Land crossings from Tibet close seasonally and during Nepali and Chinese holidays. Confirm the routing in the quote — the two options differ by weeks.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 1000 for LCL chargeable volume)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into Nepal
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Department of Customs, Nepal or your broker before shipping.
📊 China to Nepal — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | Landlocked — via Kolkata/Haldia (India) or the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani land crossings from Tibet |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Department of Customs, Nepal |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | No practical de-minimis |
| Import tax & duty regime | VAT 13%; customs duty 5–80% depending on commodity, plus excise on selected goods |
| Local currency | NPR |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 5–12 days |
| Peak / busy season | Aug–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | Import licence for controlled goods; Nepal Bureau of Standards approval for regulated products |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for This Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to Nepal. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Wondering whether your cargo fills a 20GP or needs a 40HQ for this Nepal route? The 3D container planner simulates cartons, crates, pallets, and even mixed box sizes in one container.
Open Container Planner →✅ Nepal Sea Freight Checklist
- Confirm whether your Nepal rate is per CBM or per container before comparing quotes.
- Verify the receiver's customs import capability in Nepal for DDP terms before booking.
- Ask whether the quote includes destination port charges in Nepal or only ocean freight.
- Photograph the container number, seal, and loading process for insurance evidence.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea DDP Door-to-Door from China to Nepal take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 5–12 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Nepal?
Clearance is handled by Department of Customs, Nepal. The regime is: VAT 13%; customs duty 5–80% depending on commodity, plus excise on selected goods, with a de-minimis position of No practical de-minimis. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
When does capacity tighten on the China–Nepal lane?
Space and rates tighten around Aug–Nov, plus the China-side windows of Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (early Oct). Book 1–2 weeks earlier in these periods.
In what currency is this route priced and paid?
Freight is quoted and invoiced in USD; the destination-side currency is NPR. Payment is typically due before departure, and DDP means you settle the full landed cost once.
Which ports or airports does this route use into Nepal?
Sea cargo to Nepal clears through Landlocked — via Kolkata/Haldia (India) or the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani land crossings from Tibet; air freight clears via KTM (Kathmandu Tribhuvan). We route through whichever gateway gives the fastest onward delivery to your address and build it into the DDP price.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to Nepal?
Yes — battery goods by sea follow UN3480/UN3481 rules with an MSDS; we prepare the dangerous-goods paperwork as part of DDP into Landlocked — via Kolkata/Haldia (India) or the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani land crossings from Tibet. Surcharges apply.
Inland Delivery Coverage — Nepal
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Kathmandu KTM air / Kolkata transit inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Lalitpur KTM air / Kolkata transit inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Pokhara KTM air / Kolkata transit inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Birgunj KTM air / Kolkata transit inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Biratnagar KTM air / Kolkata transit inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Bhairahawa KTM air / Kolkata transit inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
Shipping Nepal cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Smart Home Products Consumer Electronics & Smart Devices
- Refrigeration Equipment Home Appliances, HVAC & Commercial
- Tableware Furniture & Home Products
- Apparel Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Hospital Equipment Medical, Laboratory & Precision Instruments
- Parking Equipment Fire, Safety & Traffic Products
- Massage Equipment Beauty, Personal Care & Wellness
- Arts & Crafts Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure
- Artificial Plants Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Direct to Consumer E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Fasteners Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Pressure Vessels Metal Products & Industrial Components
📞 Contact Us
Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.