Nepal Trade Information Portal contains rich database of the rules, regulations, procedures, and measures for exporting commodities from Nepal. The depository also contains all the required forms and documents. Major rules and procedures for imports are listed in this page. You can search for the specific document, procedure, or forms here.  However, export rules are more dependent on destination countries and can vary a lot, thus, to explore the rules and regulations of the specific countries you can use the market intelligence tool offered by different organizations and countries. Click here to learn more.

Primary documents required to export from Nepal

• Business registration certificate (one time submission): either Firm Registration Certificate issued by Department of Commerce or Industry Registration Certificate from Department of Industry
• Permanent Account Number (PAN) with VAT registration.
• Single Administration Document (SAD)–Pragypan Patra or The Yellow Form
• Certificate of Origin (COO) and Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Form A wherever applicable. The COO can be obtained from Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Nepalese Industries or Nepal Chamber of Commerce and their district associated. GSP is required instead of COO for overseas exports where the provision of GSP is available. For GSP, the exporter must fill in a separate standard document, GSP Form A which is to be stamped and certified by the Nepali Customs at the time of export. So provided the product is eligible for tariff preferences under the GSP scheme in the destination country. It is the TEPC that issues the GSP Form A to exporters.
• Packaging list
• Commercial Invoice
• Payment Certificate—Letter of Credit (L/C), Telegraphic Transfer (TT) or certificate of advance payment

Registering a manufacturing company or trading firm

Obtaining Permanent Account Number

Registering for VAT

Obtaining Exim Code

Obtaining Certificate of Origin

Obtaining GSP Certificate

Exporting plant products

Application for Phytosanitary Certificate

Application for permit to export seeds

Obtaining Quarantine Certificate

Exporting animal products

Obtaining Quarantine Certificate

Recommendation relating to export of animals

Terms to be abided by while exporting animal products

Exporting Forest Products/Herbs

Obtaining license to export forest products

Markings to be affixed to export forest products

Obtaining license to collect, sell and distribute of herbs

Obtaining permit to sale and distribute other forest products

Exporting Edible Products

Labelling on container of packed food

Mandatory labelling requirement on edible items

Criteria to be followed while labelling edible items

Writing edible item’s name on packages

Getting approval for labels of edible items

Mentioning edible items that could cause allergy

Mentioning the weight or volume of food products

Mentioning lot number and batch number in packaged food items container label

Mentioning manufacturing date of food items and expiry date

Mentioning the directions of using food items

Language on food item labels

Mentioning name and address of the manufacturer or the sub manufacturer

Indicating if food items are Vegetarian and non-vegetarian

Exporting pharmaceutical products

Obtaining permit to export drug

Exporting pharmaceutical products

Registration of Trademark

Registration of Patent

Renewal of Patent

Renewal of Trademark

Nepal Trade Information Portal contains rich database of the rules, regulations, procedures, and measures for importing commodities to Nepal. The depository also contains all the required forms and documents. Major rules and procedures for imports are listed in this page. You can search for the specific document, procedure, or forms here.

Primary documents required to import to Nepal.

• Business registration certificate (one time submission)
• Permanent Account Number with VAT registration (one-time annual submission)
• Single Administration Document (SAD)–Pragyapan Patra (light blue form)
• Commercial invoice
• Packaging list
• Letter of Credit or advance payment or TT (mandatory for third country imports)

Importing plant products

Obtaining import entry permit (plants)

Obtaining Permission for Imports of Plants at entry point

Obtaining License to import raw materials for production of cigarette, alcohol etc.

Obtaining permit to import seeds

Obtaining renewed permission for import of plants

Obtaining permission to import Plants

Obtaining Quarantine Certificate

Importing animal products

Obtaining Quarantine Certificate

Getting recommendation to import animals

Terms to be followed while importing livestock product materials

Conditions regarding keeping animals in Animal Quarantine

Guide to Importing

Nepal has an open and transparent import regime. The import-related rules and regulations are governed by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies (MOICS) and its various entities, along with the Department of Customs under the Ministry of Finance.

Rules related to import

• Except for prohibited and quantitatively restricted items, no license is required for imports.
• For importation of plant and plant products, an importer has to apply to the Plant Quarantine Office for an import permit. The application form is to be filled in with details of the plant and purpose of importation and must be submitted with documents like income tax registration and enterprise registration, and recommendation letter of a concerned institute, if imported for research purposes, are also submitted along with the application.
• National Plant Quarantine Programme of the Department of Agriculture and seven other quarantine check posts conduct quarantine examination and issue import permits and phytosanitary certificates.
• In the case of import of wool for carpets, the Government of Nepal only allows the import of quality wool minimum length of 4″ with a thickness of not more than 38 microns. Thus, a test certificate from an authorized agency is to be produced at the time of customs clearance.
• Nepal Customs does not require any pre-shipment inspection and there is no generalized system of such inspection. A few commodities like wool, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals may need pre-shipment quality inspection certificates to maintain certain standards in Nepal.
• The Customs valuation provides a basis for the declaration of value by an importer in the Nepal Customs Declaration Form for the calculation of applicable duty and tax.
• The customs duty on imported goods is assessed on the basis of their transaction price. The owner of the goods is required to submit to the Customs bills and invoices showing their price, as well as other necessary documents relating to imports as demanded by the Customs for the purpose of verifying their transaction price.
• No demurrage is charged on the imported goods until they are valued for the purpose of assessing customs duty.

List of prohibited items

• Products injurious to health: a) narcotic drugs such as opium and morphine; and b) liquor containing more than 60 % alcohol.
• Arms, ammunition, and explosives (except under government import license): a) materials used in the production of arms and ammunition; b) guns and cartridges; c) caps other than those of paper; and d) arms, ammunition and other explosives.
• Communications equipment: wireless walkie-talkies and other similar audio communication equipment (except under import license of the GON).
• Valuable metals and jewelry (except permitted under bag and baggage regulations).
• Beef and beef products (Five-star hotels are allowed to import beef with a special license issued by the Department of Commerce).

Paying for imports

Imports from India are normally paid in Indian Rupees. However, the Nepal government allows imports of some products from India with payment in hard foreign currency.

For imports from the third country, the government does not allow advance payments for goods and separate payments for freight. In addition, with the exception of prohibited and quantitatively restricted goods, there is no restriction on the release of foreign currency for importing any type and quantity of goods. But to obtain foreign currency from the commercial bank, the importer has to get a letter of credit (L/C) issued by fulfilling the requirements of the bank.

Irrevocable L/C is the commonly used documentary credit for the settlement of payment in imports from third countries

An importer fills in a foreign exchange control form BBN 3 requesting the bank to open an L/C in the name of a nominated overseas exporter, and submits it along with an undertaking of the importer identifying the bank against any liability, and other supporting documents. Depending upon the credit limit sanctioned by the bank for L/C purpose and the relation with the bank, the importer is generally required to deposit an amount ranging from 10 to 100 percent of the L/C value at the bank. Note that the transaction may not necessarily be channeled through banks. Banks are authorized to draw drafts or telegraphic transfers (TTs) for settlement of payment in credit imports, provided that the Nepalese importers approach banks with documentary evidence. Much of the imports from India are under this scheme due to the extra cost attached to payment through L/C.

For importing raw wool, TEPC issues a recommendation letter (wool specification test report) specifying the quantity and standard of wool to be imported by an applicant/importer in the name of the concerned bank.  Under the widely used L/C, full payment is made to the exporter by the correspondent bank at the time of submission of shipment documents as specified in L/C. Similarly, the Nepali importer is also required to make full payment to his bank at the time of the release of shipment documents.

Import procedure

Being a landlocked country, most of Nepal’s international trade takes place via transit in India. Nepali cargo is mostly routed through Indian ports at Haldia and Kolkata in West Bengal but since 2016 Vishakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh is also being used for Nepal bound freight. From the respective ports, goods are transshipped through railways or roadways to Nepal’s border customs. Importers can also use airfreight to deliver their goods to Nepal via Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Importing from India

Required documents:

1. Authority letter of Customs Agent
2. Delivery order of Terminal Management Company (TMC) in case of inland clearance depots (ICDs) at Biratnagar, Birgunj, and Bhairahawa
3. Invoice
4. Nepalese Customs Declaration
5. Packing list
6. Additional documents for specific cargo such as plant quarantine/health/phytosanitary certificates for plants, lab test report for food products, analysis report for chemicals, health certificate for raw wool, a veterinary certificate for animals, etc. where applicable.

Upon submission, the customs office takes processes of the application and sends the commodities for clearance upon imposing required tariffs.

Importing from India (In-bond process)

• Under the in-bond process, the payment for imported goods is made through the bank in convertible foreign currency. Indian exporters are required to enter into a bond contract after which the commodities can be exported to Nepal. The export consignment is verified on its arrival at the Nepal Customs, upon which the contracted bond will be released. Note that only limited products specified by the Nepal Rastra Bank can be imported from India through the in-bond process.
• While following the in-bond process, on arrival of such commodities in the Nepalese customs, the CA must submit the following documents:
  1. Authority letter of Customs Agent
  2. BBN Form 4 of NRB while clearing goods
  3. Bill of lading/delivery order
  4. Certificate of L/C or advance payment
  5. Delivery order of TMC in case of  Inland Container Depots (ICD) at Biratnagar, Birgunj, and Bhairahawa
  6. Invoice
  7. Nepal Invoice (In-bond form) Nepalese Customs Declaration
  8. Packing list
  9. Additional documents for specific cargo such as plant quarantine/health/phytosanitary certificates for plants, lab test report for food products, analysis report for chemicals, health certificate for raw wool, a veterinary certificate for animals, etc. where applicable.

Upon submission, the customs office takes the process further and sends the commodities for clearance upon imposing required tariffs.

Importing from the third country via India

1. Entry into Nepal
   • After the cargo reaches the Nepal border, the importer or Customs Agent has to go to Nepal’s Customs with the following documents:
     1. BBN 4 form of The Nepal Rastra Bank (Central Bank)
     2. Bill of lading/delivery order
     3. Certificate of insurance
     4. Certified copy of L/C or advance payment
     5. COO (this is not strictly required except where imported goods are subject  to a special tariff concession on account of their place of origin
     6. CTD (Original)
     7. Delivery order of TMC in case of Inland Container Depots (ICDs) at Biratnagar, Birgunj, and  Bhairahawa
     8. Enterprise registration certificate
     9. Invoice
     10. Letter of the authority of CA
     11. Nepal’s Customs Declaration (white color)
     12. Packing list
     13. VAT registration certificate/PAN
     14. Wool specification test report if applicable
     15. Additional documents for specific cargo such as plant quarantine/health/phytosanitary certificates for plants, lab test report for food products, analysis report for chemicals, health certificate for raw wool, a veterinary certificate for animals, etc. where applicable
   • The documents numbered 1, 2 and 12 are not normally required for clearance of duty-free goods or imports by the Government.
   • The requirement of a certificate of insurance by the Customs is only for customs valuation. Any insurance document submitted by the importer is acceptable to the Customs for valuation purposes.
   • The Customs verifies BBN 4 document issued by a commercial bank with BBN 3 received previously from the same bank at the time of opening L/C. After the goods are cleared, the Customs certifies BBN 4 and hands over to the importer for delivering to the issuing bank.
   • After the documents have been checked. Customs assess the applicable duty and VAT for payment by the importer before releasing the cargo. When the goods are cleared after the payment of customs dues, the Nepalese customs officer endorses the original and 3rd copy of CTD, and the original is returned to the importer and sends back the 3rd copy in with a covering letter for delivery to the corresponding Indian Border Customs.
   • The importer is required to submit the original CTD to the corresponding Indian Border Customs within 15 days of the date on which the goods were released at the Indian port of entry or such extended time as the concerned Assistant Commissioner of Customs House may allow.

Importing from Bangladesh

• The Protocol to the Transit Agreement signed between Nepal and Bangladesh for Nepal’s trade with third countries applies to bilateral trade between Nepal and Bangladesh. Thus, the procedures and documentation for importing from Bangladesh are the same as those applied to imports through Bangladesh.

Importing from the third country via Bangladesh

• All the procedures prescribed for third-country trade have to be followed at the border at both the Indian and Nepal’s Customs.

Importing by Air

• After the arrival of the cargo, the CA approaches the TIA Customs with the  following documents:
  1. Air waybill
  2. BBN 4 form of NRB
  3. Certificate of insurance
  4. Certified copy of L/C or advance payment
  5. COO (this is not strictly required except where imported goods  are subject to a special tariff concession on account of their place of origin)
  6. Enterprise registration certificate
  7. Invoice
  8. Letter of authority for CA
  9. Nepal Customs Declaration
  10. Packing list
  11. VAT registration certificate/PAN
• Additional documents for specific cargo such as plant quarantine/health/phytosanitary certificates for plants, lab test report for food products, analysis report for chemicals, health certificate for raw wool, a veterinary certificate for animals, etc. where applicable.
• Wool specification test report if applicable
• Customs use the transaction value as the basis for customs valuation and thus require the certificate of insurance for customs valuation purposes.
• The importer or CA pays the customs dues and approaches NTWCL with the customs declaration and payment receipt to obtain the release of the cargo. The importer arranges the loading and transportation of cargo from the airport godown to his warehouse.

Name: Tribhuvan International Airport

Location: Kathmandu

• Loading/Unloading equipment
  • Forklift, High loader, transporter, Conveyor belt.
• Storage
  • Storage facilities available; first 7 days free.
• Clearance
  • Customs clearance of life saving drugs, newspapers and magazines, perishable goods and shipments belonging to the Government Offices can be done on the day of arrival. All other shipments will be processed for customs clearance on the second day after arrival only.
  • Unaccompanied baggage will not be cleared with accompanied baggage.
    Cargo destined for other stations but wrongly manifested/forwarded for Kathmandu, the carrier has to obtain necessary permission from the customs authorities at the airport to return it.
• Customs hours
  • Summer period from 10.00-17.00 hrs, except on Saturdays and government holidays.
  • Winter period from 10.00-16.00 hrs, except on Saturdays and government holidays.
• Delivery
  • Via Customs Agents only. However, Personal effects can be cleared by the consignee and or custom agents.

NYC Cargo has certain conditions for accepting goods for shipping. Customers are required to provide detailed information on their intended shipment in order for NYC Cargo to provide the best possible services.

• Customers must attend the customs office with NYC Cargo staff during the clearing process when clearing personal items.
• A copy of the customer’s passport and/or citizenship papers must be kept with the shipping documents.
• The customers and/or their suppliers must fill out a declaration form when goods are being delivered.
• When New York traders and Exporters is the shipper, NYC Cargo must do the packing of the goods in our warehouse.
• A thorough check must be carried out to verify that the goods are correctly matched and complete when delivered and a declaration form has been filled out.
• An information form must be completed for each customer’s shipment.
• Customers should notify NYC Cargo beforehand if they have any fragile items or anything that needs special packing.
• NYC Cargo will only pick up goods from the supplier’s shop, factory, or warehouse.
• Deliveries from outside addresses will not be accepted.
• We will only accept goods that are accompanied by a supplier’s bill with supplier’s name, company name, address, customer’s name and duly stamped by the supplier.
• If a supplier does not have their own bill then whoever delivers the goods must fill in the declaration form & countersign accordingly.

The following are the list of items that require special written permission from concerned government departments before export in Nepal. These items include:

• Department of Archaeology: any bronze, brass, copper or silver statue, any Thanka paintings, illustrated manuscripts, wooden masks or woodcarvings and other carved goods.
• Department of Veterinary Science: the meat, skin or flesh (dried or otherwise) of wild or domestic animals.
• Department of National Parks & Wildlife: skulls, horns, tails, hooves or other body parts of domestic animals.
• Quarantine Department: plants, flowers.
• Mine Department: stones (rocks).
• Department of Forest: incense powder, rudrakshi beads.
• Plant Resource Department: Ayurvedic/herbal oil/marc/extracts/crude. It is important to note that these regulations may change over time and it is always recommended to check with the relevant authorities and/or the embassy of the country of destination before exporting these items.

Custom Declaration

Facilitation:

• Weighing scale and Racking System
• Fork lift; Fire alarm system for equipment security
• Telephone, electricity and car parking.
• T1.2 km double lane access road

Proper documentation is crucial for smooth transit of goods, and NYC Cargo understands this importance. We verify and maintain all required documents to ensure that consignments are not delayed due to document-related issues. Our documents are fully computerized and we proactively provide the necessary documents for importing and exporting. By managing documents effectively, we eliminate 90% of the hassle in operations.

The procedure for exporting commercial goods with NYC Cargo is as follows:

• The customers or suppliers must complete the Information Form and other documentation for preparing the shipment.
• NYC Cargo will then assign a unique NYC.REF NO (New York Cargo reference No.) and S.B.NO (Shipment Booking No.).
• The process of completing the documentation and assigning reference numbers typically takes 15-20 minutes.

It’s important for customers to have all the required documents ready before exporting goods to avoid any delay. NYC Cargo is here to assist you and guide you through the process.

NYC Cargo has certain procedures for customers who are exporting commercial goods.

• A copy of the customer’s passport or citizenship must be filed with the shipping documents.
• If a customer wants to use NYC Cargo (New York Traders and Exporters) as the shipper, then a traveler’s cheque or foreign currency must be deposited into our account, equivalent to the purchase price of the intended goods. Once an advance payment certificate from the bank is provided, the customer will be provided Nepalese rupees to commence their buying. This procedure is obligatory for export. Customers can either pay their suppliers directly or NYC Cargo can pay them on their behalf.
• If a customer wants to be the shipper, they must be present along with their passport while clearing Nepalese customs and must provide NYC Cargo with the foreign currency exchange receipt from the bank, which should be equivalent to the goods they have purchased.
• In order to pick up goods, customers must fill out a Pick-up Form provided by NYC Cargo and must inform us at least 24 hours in advance. NYC Cargo will pick up the goods from the supplier’s shop, factory, warehouse, or hotel. Deliveries from outside addresses will not be accepted.
• If NYC Cargo (New York Traders and Exporters) is the shipper, NYC Cargo must do all the packing of the customer’s goods in our warehouse.
• We will only accept goods that are accompanied by a supplier’s bill with the supplier’s name, company name, address, customer’s name, and that is duly stamped by the supplier. If a customer has no bill for the goods they have purchased from different suppliers, then they have to fill the Invoice provided by NYC Cargo.
• Customers are required to inform us of fragile items as they may require special attention/packaging.
• Handling charges for the goods depend on the types of goods and the customer’s packaging requirements. It is important for customers to follow these procedures and provide all the required information and documents to NYC Cargo to avoid any delays or additional charges while exporting commercial goods.

When exporting commercial goods from Nepal, there are several documents that are required for export clearance. These include:

1. Custom Declaration Form
2. Invoice
3. Packing List
4. Certificate of origin
5. GSP certificate (if applicable)
6. Foreign Exchange declaration Form of Nepal Rastra Bank
7. Copy of letter of credit or advance payment statement received from the bank
8. Copy of Firm/Company Registration Certificate
9. Copy of Income Tax Registration Certificate or VAT Registration
10. Airway Bill
11. Letter of authority to clear the consignment

For export to a third country by sea or land, all of the above documents are required, with the exception of number 9, and additional documents are also required:

• Transport manifesto, one copy per truck (for sea cargo)
• Custom transit declarations (for sea cargo)
• Transit declaration invoice for goods in transit via India/Bangladesh to third country destination (for sea cargo).

It’s important for customers to provide all the required documents to NYC Cargo to avoid any delays or additional charges while exporting commercial goods. NYC Cargo is here to assist you and guide you through the process.

NYC Cargo understands that customers may not have the time to visit our office in Nepal, so we also provide the option for customers to make their order by fax or email. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when doing so:

• Details of the item of your order with price and the name of the vendor/manufacturer/shop.
• An estimated delivery date and day on which you expect us to ship your goods (also indicate how urgent your order is).
• Your name, company name, full address, telephone/fax/email and the name of the nearest international airport. Please specify your custom broker if any.
• Once the order is confirmed in writing and the delivery date is set, 50% of the cost of goods must be sent. The remaining 50% plus our handling charge (which depends on the types of goods and total invoice value) must be paid within one week prior to the shipment date.
• Freight charges: we can either arrange pre-paid freight or freight collect. In the pre-paid arrangement, we will pay the freight and charge you later. In the freight collect arrangement, you will have to pay directly to the airlines when collecting your consignments.
• The quality and specification of your goods must be agreed between you and the supplier. NYC Cargo will not be responsible for quality issues. However, we can arrange for a local party which will act as your professional QC on your behalf. If you are interested in the QC service, please write to us.

It is important for customers to provide accurate and complete information and follow the instructions, to avoid any delays or additional charges.