Samdrup Jongkhar Mini Dry Port (MDP)
About MDP
Samdrup Jongkhar Mini Dry Port (MDP) is the trade gateway for eastern Bhutan on the Assam border, run by Bhutan’s Department of Revenue and Customs. Its warehouses hold 13,000 MT of cargo and it handles 3,500–5,000 TEUs per annum.
MDP is a vital trade gateway for eastern Bhutan. It was developed to modernise cross-border logistics and serve as a strategic link between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Indian state of Assam. The terminal is located in Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde, a border town in southeastern Bhutan. It sits just a few hundred meters from the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Pelzomthang. The town has been a trading hub since the 1960s, and the formalised dry port infrastructure has further boosted trade. The terminal is primarily designed as a high-volume break-bulk and transhipment hub.
The terminal is owned by the Royal Government of Bhutan, under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE). As a “Mini” dry port, it has a lower TEU throughput than Phuentsholing but remains critical for regional trade. It serves as the primary exit point for Bhutan’s eastern exports of minerals and agriculture. Historically, the region has seen high utilisation for loose cargo transport (trucks), transitioning toward containerisation as infrastructure matures.
The terminal operates as the central ICD for eastern Bhutan, servicing several Land Customs Stations (LCS) in the region, including those at Nganglam and Gelephu.
Primary export ports are the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port and the Haldia Dock Complex. Under the 2023 Transit Agreement, the terminals have also been using Chattogram Port and Mongla in Bangladesh for export.
Key figures in detail
- Installed capacity: Measured by storage tonnage: two large warehouses (Import and Export) with a combined capacity of 13,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of cargo at any given time
- Capacity utilisation: TEU count is lower than the Phuentsholing ICD
- Executive Leadership: Karma Namgyel
Equipment
- Weighbridges for heavy vehicle monitoring
- Forklifts for cargo handling and transhipment
- CCTV Surveillance for 24/7 security
Facilities & infrastructure
- The dry port spans approximately 7 acres of land
- Export and Import Warehouses of 6,500 MT each (13,000 MT in total)
- Dedicated 200 MT facility for perishable goods such as citrus fruits
- On-site administrative support for eCMS (electronic Customs Management System)
Why shippers choose MDP
- It is the only major entry point for six eastern districts (Tashigang, Lhuentse, etc.)
- Its location allows traders to tap into Guwahati’s international airport and rail facilities
- One of the few Bhutanese hubs with viable future links to Indian inland waterways (NW2)
- Provides an essential alternative to the heavily congested Phuentsholing border
Hinterland connectivity
Rail & road
Goods move predominantly by road through the Darranga border post (India). Containers are transported via the Indian highway network to and from major hubs in Assam and onward to the ports of Kolkata or Haldia. The terminal connects to the Samdrup Jongkhar–Trashigang National Highway. On the Indian side, it connects to NH 127D via Darranga, linking to Guwahati. There is no rail link within Bhutan, but the Rangiya–Samdrup Jongkhar rail link has been proposed as a strategic regional project. The terminal is strategically positioned to utilise National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra). Cargo can be moved by road to Pandu Port in Guwahati or to the Jogighopa Multimodal Terminal (approx. 150 km away), for riverine transit to Bangladesh and Indian seaports.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates Samdrup Jongkhar Mini Dry Port?
It is owned by the Royal Government of Bhutan (MoICE) and run by the Department of Revenue and Customs.
What is the capacity of Samdrup Jongkhar Mini Dry Port?
Its two warehouses hold 13,000 MT of cargo in total, and it handles about 3,500–5,000 TEUs per annum.
What is the port code for Samdrup Jongkhar Mini Dry Port?
The UN/LOCODE-style port code is BTSJR.
Where is Samdrup Jongkhar Mini Dry Port located?
In Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde, southeastern Bhutan, a few hundred metres from the Pelzomthang Integrated Check Post on the Assam border.
How is Samdrup Jongkhar Mini Dry Port connected?
By road through the Darranga border post to NH 127D and Guwahati, then on to Kolkata or Haldia ports. There is no rail link within Bhutan yet.
Classification
Source: South Asia Container Market Report 2026, p. 84. Last updated Jan 2026.
