EXIM Cargo movement now enabled by Rail between India and Nepal- Notified by CBIC

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Dated: 05.06.2025

EXIM Cargo movement now enabled by Rail between India and Nepal- Notified by CBIC

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued Notification No. 36/2025-Customs (N.T.) dated 23rd May 2025, formally notifying the railway route connecting Raxaul (India) and Birganj (Nepal) as an authorized land frontier point for customs transit under the Customs Act, 1962.

This notification amends the longstanding Notification No. 63/1994-Customs (N.T.), which governs the list of authorized land customs stations at India’s land borders.

Key Update at a Glance

Particular	Details
Notification No.	36/2025-Customs (N.T.)
Date Issued	23rd May 2025
Under Authority of	Section 7(1)(b) & (c), Customs Act, 1962
Amends	Notification No. 63/1994-Customs (N.T.)
Land Frontier Affected	Nepal
Newly Added Entry (Raxaul)	(d) Railway line connecting Raxaul (India) and Birganj (Nepal)
Transit Route Basis	India–Nepal Treaty of Transit dated 1st June 2023

Legal and Logistical Significance

The newly added entry recognizes rail-based cargo movement through the Raxaul–Birganj rail corridor as an official customs route.
This facilitates seamless cross-border trade, reduces transit time, and aligns customs processes with modern multimodal logistics.
The Treaty of Transit (2023) serves as the foundational legal framework for regulating India–Nepal cargo traffic via designated rail corridors.

Impact on Stakeholders

Stakeholder	Implication
Exporters/Importers	Can now officially route cargo via Raxaul rail for trade with Nepal.
Logistics Providers	Rail transport opens cost-effective and faster alternatives for bulk goods.
Customs Brokers & Agents	Will need to align documentation with new route formalities and SOPs.
Policy Makers	Signals India’s commitment to regional trade facilitation with Nepal.

Background – Raxaul–Birganj Corridor

Raxaul is a key Indian border town in Bihar, while Birganj is a major customs and logistics hub in Nepal.
The Raxaul–Birganj route is already operational for containerized and bulk rail cargo, and this notification provides formal recognition for customs handling.
This route supports the ICD at Birganj, developed under bilateral cooperation to promote intermodal transit.

Conclusion

CBIC’s Notification No. 36/2025-Customs (N.T.) strengthens India–Nepal connectivity by streamlining rail-based customs transit, thereby enhancing regional trade efficiency under the 2023 Treaty of Transit. As India ramps up its infrastructure for neighbourhood-first trade policy, this move is a step towards a fully integrated, multimodal logistics ecosystem across South Asia.

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Source: CBIC, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India

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