Pharmaceutical shipments from India to Bhutan primarily utilize road and air transport, with sea routes being less common due to Bhutan's landlocked geography. The most frequent shipping route involves road transport from Indian cities to Bhutanese border points. For instance, shipments from Mumbai to Thimphu typically take approximately 6.5 days, including loading and unloading operations at origin and destination.
Air freight offers a faster alternative, with transit times from major Indian airports to Bhutan's nearest airport, Bagdogra, estimated at around 7 days, considering loading and unloading operations at origin and destination. From Bagdogra, road transport is used to deliver goods to Bhutan. It's important to note that while air freight is quicker, it is also more expensive compared to road transport.
Recent disruptions in the Red Sea have had minimal impact on India-Bhutan pharmaceutical shipments, as these routes do not typically traverse the Red Sea. However, any global shipping disruptions can indirectly affect logistics costs and schedules.
