NP Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
Nepal UN/LOCODE entries begin with the ISO country prefix NP followed by a three-letter location identifier. For example, NPBIR identifies the Birganj location in the indexed dataset.
Seaports in Nepal: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Nepal has 5 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, primarily serving inland cargo distribution, customs clearance and cross-border freight rather than ocean-going vessel calls.
Review Nepal UN/LOCODE entries, inland freight gateways and practical routing considerations for international shipments.
Nepal Port Overview
Nepal is landlocked, so its listed port facilities function mainly as dry ports, inland container depots, customs points and cargo gateways connected to seaports in neighboring countries. The figures below distinguish Ecer Freight indexed coverage from national maritime statistics.
5
Nepal ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
—
2025 national seaborne cargo tonnage; official annual figure and YoY not published for Nepal
Nepal Customs · 2025
—
2025 container throughput in TEU; comparable national series and YoY not published
Nepal Customs · 2025
—
2025 seaport berth count; not applicable to Nepal as a landlocked country
Nepal transport statistics · 2025
How many seaports does Nepal have?
Nepal has 5 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its country-level port database as of November 2026. These entries primarily represent inland and dry-port cargo facilities.
What is Nepal's busiest listed cargo gateway?
Birganj, code NPBIR, is the leading Nepal gateway in the indexed sample by business activity and its role in cross-border container and customs cargo flows.
Which areas handle Nepal's main freight flows?
The principal indexed freight areas are Birganj with NPBIR and NPBRG, Kathmandu with NPKTM, Biratnagar with NPBRA, and Nawalparasi with NPLLU.
Top Ports and Cargo Gateways in Nepal
This table ranks the indexed Nepal facilities by available database coverage and operational relevance. Nepal has no ocean container-port league-table position; public 2025 TEU throughput and annual change figures are therefore shown as unavailable rather than estimated.
Indexed Nepal cargo gateways, with 2025 public throughput status
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Birganj | NPBIR | — | — | Central-south border corridor |
| — | Birganj | NPBRG | — | — | Central-south border corridor |
| — | Kathmandu | NPKTM | — | — | Kathmandu Valley |
| — | Biratnagar | NPBRA | — | — | Eastern Nepal |
| — | Nawalparasi | NPLLU | — | — | Western-south Nepal |
Nepal Port Regions and Cargo Clusters
Central-South Border Corridor
Birganj is a major cross-border logistics area for Nepal, linking customs, inland container handling and road freight with the wider South Asian supply chain.
Central-south indexed facilities
Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is an inland commercial and distribution center. Shipments routed through the valley generally require onward road transport after customs and regional transshipment.
Kathmandu Valley indexed facility
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | NPKTM | Kathmandu / — | Urban distribution, air-sea coordination and inland freight |
Eastern and Western-South Freight Areas
Biratnagar supports eastern Nepal cargo flows, while Nawalparasi serves western-south distribution and road-connected industrial movements.
Eastern and western-south indexed facilities
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biratnagar | NPBRA | Biratnagar / — | Eastern Nepal industrial and cross-border cargo |
| Nawalparasi | NPLLU | — / — | Western-south inland distribution and general freight |
Nepal UN/LOCODE Guide
City-Level and Facility-Level Records
A city-level record and a separate terminal or facility record can appear as distinct entries. Birganj is listed under both NPBRG and NPBIR, so the exact code should be matched to the booking, customs and transport documents.
How to Verify a Code
Compare the code with the current UN/LOCODE reference and the Ecer Freight port directory before submitting shipping instructions. See UNECE and Ecer Freight Port Codes.
Shipping from Nepal: Main Trade Lanes
Nepal's international sea freight normally combines an inland Nepal gateway with an ocean port in a neighboring country, followed by road or rail movement. Transit times are indicative only and depend on border conditions, transshipment, customs and the final delivery point.
Nepal to India Ocean Gateways
A common routing pattern connects Birganj or Biratnagar cargo with Indian ocean gateways for export and import container movements.
Nepal to China Trade Corridor
Kathmandu-linked cargo can use northern road corridors and connect with Chinese logistics networks, subject to seasonal and border conditions.
Birganj Import Distribution
Birganj is commonly used for containerized imports and domestic distribution because of its central-south border logistics role.
Kathmandu and Inland Delivery
Kathmandu-bound sea freight requires an inland leg after the overseas port connection, with delivery planning focused on road capacity and customs timing.
Data Methodology and Sources
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party index of 5 Nepal ports and terminals, snapshot November 2026.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE framework and location-code reference methodology.
- Department of Customs, Nepal — customs and cross-border trade context; figures are used only where an applicable public series is available.
- Department of Transport Management, Nepal — national transport and inland logistics context.
- Ministry of Finance, Nepal — macroeconomic and fiscal publications used for cross-checking national trade context.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nepal Ports
How many seaports does Nepal have?
Nepal has 5 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its current country database. Nepal is landlocked, so these records mainly represent inland and dry-port facilities rather than ocean berths.
What is the largest or busiest port in Nepal?
Birganj is generally the busiest indexed Nepal cargo gateway. The database includes Birganj under NPBIR and NPBRG, and the exact code should be confirmed against the facility involved.
What are the main Nepal port codes?
The indexed codes are NPBIR, NPBRG, NPKTM, NPBRA and NPLLU. Every Nepal code begins with the NP country prefix.
Which regions handle most Nepal freight?
The main indexed freight areas are the Birganj border corridor, Kathmandu Valley, eastern Nepal around Biratnagar and the western-south area represented by Nawalparasi.
Does Nepal have an ocean container port?
No. Nepal is landlocked and relies on neighboring countries' ocean gateways, followed by road, rail or inland container movements into Nepal.
How current is the Nepal port information?
The database snapshot for this page is November 2026, with the most recent complete statistical reference year generally being 2025. Operational schedules, border conditions and transit times remain subject to confirmation.
How can a shipper request a Nepal freight quote?
A shipper can request an FCL or LCL quotation through the relevant Ecer Freight rate page. The request should include the exact Nepal code, overseas gateway, cargo details, customs requirements and final delivery point.
Editorial note: Nepal port coverage combines Ecer Freight's indexed location records with public customs, transport and UN/LOCODE references. Because Nepal is landlocked, conventional ocean-port throughput, berth and TEU comparisons are not applied where no reliable national public series exists. The page is reviewed quarterly, while time-sensitive routing, border and carrier details should be confirmed before booking.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Nepal: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact