𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐃𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐂𝐌𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

…𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆-𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔

By Sonam Choki

The establishment of the Mini Dry Port (MDP) in Phuentsholing and Alley, Pasakha custom station under Chukha Dzongkhag, coupled with the introduction of the electronic Customs Management System (eCMS), has transformed Bhutan’s border trade operations. What once involved long delays, manual paperwork, and multiple agency clearances has now been consolidated into a single-window system under the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), ensuring faster, more transparent, and more secure trade facilitation.

Before the introduction of eCMS and the dry port, vehicle entries at the border checkpoints were managed manually. According to an official at the Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC), Ministry of Finance, the process often resulted in long delays due to paperwork, customs clearance, and physical inspections.
In 2022, before eCMS, 127,284 import declarations and 51,817 export declarations were processed at Mini Dry Port Phuentsholing, while 7,856 import declarations and no exports were recorded from Alley, Pasakha custom station. After eCMS implementation in April 2023, vehicle processing improved significantly. Every step became time-stamped and traceable, enabling automated customs clearance and immediate access to cargo documentation, reducing waiting times.

By 2024, 112,715 imports and 96,421 exports were declared from Mini Dry Port Phuentsholing, and 20,426 imports and 25,034 exports from Alley, Pasakha. eCMS records transactions individually rather than by vehicle, as a single vehicle may contain multiple declarations.
The system automates customs clearance, digitizing manifest submission and approval, gate-in by RBP, declaration by traders or brokers, online payment via Bhutan Integrated Revenue Management System, digital valuation, and risk assessment. Consignments selected for red channel inspection undergo joint verification with the RBP before release. Final gate-out is recorded by the RBP when vehicles exit. By replacing paper-based procedures, eCMS reduces errors, speeds up clearance, and strengthens compliance.

An official explained, “Overall, while not flawless, the system has significantly modernized and streamlined customs operations, moving Bhutan closer to global trade facilitation standards.”
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Mini Dry Port, Phuentsholing, noted that prior to RBP assuming full operations in 2021 under a Memorandum of Understanding, consignments had to be inspected by five different agencies. Importers approached separate agencies for permits, clearance certificates, and immigration processing. The consolidation under a single counter has streamlined services, optimized government resource management, and enhanced national security.

“The integration has resulted in significant detections of restricted items under BFDA, forest and non-forest products, and illegal immigrants. These outcomes were possible because all services now fall under the single authority of the RBP, with continued support from concerned agencies, public cooperation, and the dedication of ICP personnel, ensuring efficient service delivery,” the OC said. He added, “We are continuously working to improve service delivery to make it even more transparent, effective, and efficient.”

Transporters who use the route have noticed the improvements. Kul Deep Singh from Ludhiana, India, who has 35 years of experience in the transport business, said, “Earlier, we had to wait the whole day and could move only in the evening or early morning. Customs paperwork used to take three to four hours, sometimes even half a day. After the dry port became operational, customs clearance now takes about 30 minutes to an hour, or up to one and a half hours.”

Dorji Tshering from Mongar, with 20 years of experience, noted, “Services at Alley, Pasakha custom station are much faster. We no longer have to wait the whole day or two to get inside. Although the road is longer, the time saved is significant. eCMS makes the work faster and easier, but occasional system problems can still cause delays.”
The DRC acknowledged that network issues occasionally force customs to revert to manual declarations. The Time Release Study confirmed downtime of eCMS, especially during peak traffic periods. Bottlenecks sometimes occur at the “Release Order to Gate Out” stage at Phuentsholing MDP due to congestion and external slot-booking systems like India’s e-Suvidha. The Ministry is working with IT partners to enhance system reliability through regular updates, capacity improvements, and training sessions.

Tirlok Singh, a transporter from Punjab, India, with seven years on this route, said, “Now it is much better. Earlier, passing through Phuentsholing’s main gate could take one to two days due to traffic and customs clearance. With the new system and Alley, Pasakha custom station, we can move freely without delays.” Dhan Kumar Gurung, 39, from Tendu, Samtse, added, “It is faster and easier through Alley, Pasakha. Clearance can take just 15 to 20 minutes if there is no network problem.”

Devi Rai, 43, who works at the customer counter of the Regional Revenue and Customs Office, explained that the system allows traders to submit documents a day in advance or on the morning of consignment arrival, ensuring smoother operations. “Initially, many customers were unaware of the system, but now about 80 percent are familiar and do it, which further streamlines services for both recipients and providers,” she said.
The Allay, Pasakha custom station was built with grant support of US$1.97 million, the Phuentsholing mini dry port US$0.44 million, and eCMS US$1.3 million, funded through the Asian Development Bank and co-funding from the Bhutanese government.

Despite occasional technical glitches, the MDP and eCMS have reduced waiting times, eased congestion, and strengthened security. Ongoing system upgrades continue to align Bhutan’s customs operations with global trade standards, benefiting traders, transporters, and the economy.