Kathmandu [Nepal], September 4 – The Mustang Customs Office’s liaison office in Jomsom has been operating from rented premises for nearly 15 years despite growing activity at the Nepal-China border through the Korala crossing.
Around six remains of land have been made available in Gharapjhong Rural Municipality-4 for an office building but construction has yet to begin due to insufficient funding. The liaison office is currently also being used to accommodate employees from outside the district.
The main customs office is located at Nechung in Lomanthang Rural Municipality-4, Upper Mustang. However the Jomsom office handles administrative and other customs-related work particularly during the harsh winter months.
Customs Office Chief Bidur Chudal said the Jomsom office is needed to facilitate legal procedures related to customs evasion and other matters especially when temperatures fall below freezing.
The government has allocated Rs 5 million for construction in the current fiscal year but the amount is considered insufficient for a permanent structure. No decision has been made on the construction site.
Mustang Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Raju Lalchan said the lack of basic infrastructure was affecting customs services despite the office generating substantial revenue.
The border customs office collected Rs 6.91 billion in revenue last fiscal year.
The customs office formally reopened in November 2023 after decades of closure, began commercial operations in September 2025. The destruction of the Timure customs office by floods has also increased pressure on Korala for trade and customs management.
