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How to export Onion from Nashik to Nepal.

Onion Export Guide

1) Recommended mode of transport — what to book

Short answer: Full Truck Load (FTL) – conventional multi-axle open / ventilated truck is normally best for Nashik → Kathmandu (overland).
Reserve a container only when you’re moving container-loads for consolidation/railleg, or if you want sealed container movement for a long multimodal transit. For fresh onions moving ~1–2 days by road a ventilated truck is most practical and cost-effective.

Why truck (not container/reefer) for onions:

Onions prefer ventilation and are sensitive to condensation — reefers (cold chains) can cause sweating unless set and managed properly. Most exporters move onions in ventilated trucks or open-body trailer with proper stacking and curing. (aieim.in)

2) Typical capacities (how much you can load in one vehicle)

Containers (for reference)

20′ container: ~12–14 metric tonnes (common packing for dry/chilled produce).
40′ container: ~24–28 metric tonnes. (toplogistics.in)

Road trucks (recommended)

18–22 tonne payload is typical for a 20-ft trailer / 3-axle truck (multi-axle trailers can legally carry more depending on permits / axle configuration). Modern tri-axle trailers can carry ~25–27 t GVW within legal axle limits; check the tractor-trailer spec and permits. Use a 20 ft / 24 ft flatbed or covered ventilated trailer for onions. (Practical load often ~18–22 MT per truck depending on bag weight and how tightly you pack.) (Press Information Bureau)

So:

If you have ~18–22 MT onion, book one FTL truck.
If you have >24–26 MT, either book two trucks or one 40′ container (if container movement to border is arranged) — but truck is still usual.

3) Best border crossing & route from Nashik to Kathmandu

From Nashik you’ll generally move north-east by road to a major India–Nepal land crossing used for commercial cargo. Two frequently used crossings for cargo to Kathmandu are:

Raxaul (India) ↔ Birgunj (Nepal) — the busiest commercial gateway for imports to central Nepal (services for freight & containers). (Mcommerce)
Sunauli (India) ↔ Bhairahawa/Taulihawa (Nepal) — more western but used for some routes.

From Nashik most road operators route via Bihar/Bihar-UP corridors toward Raxaul/Birgunj, which is commonly used for commercial consignments to Kathmandu. Expect ~1,400–1,800 km driving depending on route; transit typically ~24–36 hours non-stop, practically ~2 days with rests/clearance. (Distance sources vary; driving time depends on road/permit/traffic.) (Rome2Rio)

4) Customs / clearance: exactly what happens (India side → Border → Nepal side)

A. Before you dispatch (India export formalities)

Phytosanitary Certificate (Plant Quarantine): mandatory for fresh produce — applied through the Plant Quarantine/NPPO online system (PQMS). This certifies the consignment is pest/disease-free. (PQMS)
Commercial invoice + packing list (English).
Bill of Lading / Transport Waybill — for road, a consignment note / LR (or container e-docs if container).
Export Declaration / Shipping Bill / EDI filing through Indian customs if required at the LCS/port of exit; agent (CHA) usually files. (TaxTMI)

B. At Indian Land Customs Station (LCS) / exit

Truck reaches the designated Land Customs Station (LCS) (e.g., Raxaul LCS). Indian Customs may check documents, exam cargo, and apply customs seal if goods are for transit to Nepal.
Indian export clearance (if required) and Plant Quarantine stamping happens before the truck crosses.

C. At the border & Nepal entry

On arrival at the Nepal side (Birgunj), Nepal Customs conducts import formalities: importer or their Nepal customs agent files the Nepal import declaration (CDF), presents commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, and any payment docs (LC, if used). (Trade and Export Promotion Centre)
Physical inspection may be done by Nepal customs and/or quarantine inspectors. Sometimes sampling only; sometimes physical unloading for detailed checks — depends on inspector, volume, and risk profile. (cargonepal.com.np)

Do goods get unloaded and reloaded at customs?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. For routine shipments customs will often inspect by opening some bags and sampling. For large consignments customs/phyto may require partial or full unloading for thorough inspection. Expect at least deconsolidation for inspection if requested. Use good labelling and easy access to bags to speed checks. (Trade and Export Promotion Centre)

5) Packaging & temperature handling (to avoid spoilage on 2-day road trip)

Curing / drying: ensure onions are cured properly (outer skin dry) before dispatch. Wet/uncured onions rot faster.
Packaging: 50 kg or 25 kg jute/gunny bags or mesh sacks (mesh is best for airflow). Avoid plastic-sealed packs that trap moisture. Stack to allow airflow (don’t overpack tightly). (aieim.in)
Trailer type: ventilated / open-top but covered trailers or open-body with tarpaulin are common. Do NOT use reefers unless exporter & importer control temperature correctly (reefer condensation can harm onions).
Transit time: ~24–36 hours Nashik → Nepali border; expedite customs to keep under 48 hrs. Two-day road travel is practical if onions are well cured and ventilated.

6) Documents checklist (India → Nepal typical)

Commercial Invoice (English)
Packing list (bags/weight/pallets)
Phytosanitary Certificate (Plant Quarantine) — must for onion. (NSWS)
Certificate of Origin (if buyer requires preferential duty)
Transport LR / Waybill (from trucker)
Export declaration/ Shipping Bill / EDI filing (if required) — handled by CHA. (TaxTMI)
Payment documents (LC / advance receipt) — per contract
Insurance (optional but recommended)
Any additional Nepalese permits (importer/agent will handle Nepal side)

7) Who clears customs at border — and where to keep your goods sealed

Indian side: Your exporter or CHA gets Indian export clearance & plant quarantine acceptance. Customs may seal the truck.
Nepal side: Importer or Nepalese customs agent files the import entry and arranges inspection. After import clearance, the seal is removed and goods released. (Trade and Export Promotion Centre)

Practical note: many exporters pre-arrange a Nepalese clearing agent (Customs Agent / Clearing Agent in Birgunj) so the clearance is smooth and quick.

8) How to save logistics cost (practical tips)

Full-truck shipments (FTL) beat multiple partial loads — book a full truck if you can fill ~18–22 t.
Consolidate shipments (co-op with other growers) to maximize truck capacity.
Negotiate long-term contracts with a reliable trucker for return loads/backhaul — cheaper than ad-hoc rates.
Use multi-axle trailer with legal permits to carry higher payload per trip (reduces cost/ton). Confirm GVW/axle limits & permits. (Press Information Bureau)
Avoid unnecessary container movement / port handling if border is direct road — containers add handling & repositioning costs.
Speed up documentation: Pre-book phyto exam and have CHA ready at destination — reduce demurrage/detention at border.
Insurance vs risk: insure high-value consignments or where transit risk is high — cheaper than loss from spoilage.
Season timing & routing: Ship during cooler nights where possible; avoid monsoon transfers that increase rot risk.

9) Practical “what people are doing” (observed market practice)

Small/medium growers in Maharashtra usually send FTL trucks loaded with jute/mesh bags directly to Birgunj/Raxaul for Kathmandu distribution. Agents in Nepal handle customs clearance and onward distribution to wholesale markets (KTM wholesale). (cargonepal.com.np)
Larger exporters who ship by rail/sea to remote Nepal hubs sometimes use containers, but for Nashik→Kathmandu overland road trucks are most common because of speed and lower handling.
Most exporters do not use reefers for onions; they prefer ventilated trailers and correct curing. Condensation is a common problem in reefers if not properly managed.

10) Answering your specific short Qs

Should I book a container or truck?
→ Book a truck (FTL ventilated trailer) unless you specifically need containerized movement for some reason (rail leg, consolidation at a container ICD). Truck is faster, cheaper, and customary for Nashik→Kathmandu onion movement. (toplogistics.in)
Mode of transport?
→ Road (direct truck) to an LCS (Raxaul/Birgunj is common); importer clears at Nepal side.
How will customs clearance happen at border?
→ Indian customs/Plant Quarantine clears and seals (if needed). On arrival Nepal customs inspects and clears after importer/agent files import declaration. Physical unloading may be required for inspection. (PQMS)
Will my goods be unloaded/reloaded at customs?
→ Possibly — inspections sometimes require partial or full unloading. Pack for easy access and expect sampling.
Best way to save logistics cost?
→ Fill a full truck, use multi-axle trucks with legal payload permits, consolidate loads, use negotiated long-term hauliers, and speed up documentation (phyto + CHA arrangements).
How much does one truck take?
→ ~18–22 MT practical payload in a single 20–24 ft trailer (depends on truck spec and legal axle load). If your load is less, consider consolidation or LTL (but LTL costs more per ton). (Press Information Bureau)
Is 2 days travel safe for onions?
→ Yes, if onions are well cured/dry and truck is ventilated; avoid moisture, pack in mesh/gunny bags and aim to minimize time spent at border. Two days is a typical transit time and practical. (aieim.in)

11) Quick checklist you can use right now

Before loading

Get Phytosanitary certificate from Plant Quarantine (PQMS). (PQMS)
Ensure onions are cured & packed in mesh/jute sacks (25/50 kg). (aieim.in)
Book a ventilated full-truck (specify airflow, covered tarpaulin).
Confirm truck GVW & permits (axle limits). (Press Information Bureau)
Pre-arrange CHA in India and clearing agent in Birgunj (Nepal). (TaxTMI)

At dispatch

File export docs / EDI with Indian customs (via CHA). (TaxTMI)
Plant Quarantine inspection & issuance of phyto certificate. (NSWS)

At border / on arrival in Nepal

Present docs to Nepal customs (import declaration CDF, invoice, packing list, phyto cert). (Trade and Export Promotion Centre)
Be ready for sampling, partial unloading & inspection.
Pay any import duties/fees (importer’s responsibility).

12) Want me to do any of these for you?

I can help right away with:

A one-page export checklist tailored to Nashik → Kathmandu (with doc templates), or
A packing & truck-loading plan (how to stack bags for airflow, number of bags per truck), or
A sample message / RFP to send to truckers and Nepalese CHA (so you get correct quotes).

Tell me which of the above you want and I’ll prepare it. (If you want, tell me approximate quantity you plan to ship so I can recommend exact truck count and packing.)

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How to export Onion from Nashik to Nepal