Short answer
Under the customs notice in force since Jestha 15, 2083, a Nepali returning from abroad pays no duty on their own used clothes and household things, one each of their own used tablet or laptop or desktop, watch, camera, video camera and mobile phone, up to 7 kg of food and one bottle of liquor up to 1 litre. Gold jewellery is duty free up to 25 grams for men and 50 grams for women. A migrant worker with a labour permit who worked abroad for six months or more can also bring one extra new phone duty free, and after twelve months one TV up to 32 inches, once. Declare cash above USD 5,000. Anything you hide or don't declare can be confiscated.
The details
Duty free for Nepalis returning from abroad
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Your used clothes, bedding and household things | Duty free |
| Your used tablet or laptop or desktop, watch, camera, video camera, mobile phone | One each |
| Gold jewellery | 25 grams for men, 50 grams for women |
| Food | Up to 7 kg |
| Liquor | One bottle up to 1 litre |
| Pram and tricycle for a child | One each |
| Tools of your profession | One each, such as a stethoscope, a guitar or sports gear |
| Medicines you bring back after treatment abroad | Duty free |
Extra allowances for migrant workers
| Worked abroad on a labour permit | Extra duty free |
|---|---|
| Six months or more in a row | One new mobile phone |
| Twelve months or more in a row | One TV up to 32 inches, once |
Cash
You can bring foreign currency or traveller's cheques worth up to USD 5,000 without declaring them. Declare anything above that at customs.
Non-resident Nepalis with proof of NRN status get the same allowances. Customs can be called on the toll-free line 18105121223.
Common problems
I'm bringing more than the allowance.
Declare it at customs and pay the normal duty. You can bring one each of a TV, music system, fridge, washing machine, fan, radio, watch and mobile phone. You can also bring up to five each of clothes, shoes and cosmetics, two each of household appliances like a mixer or rice cooker and up to 10 kg of food. Gold beyond what you can bring with duty, and liquor over the limit, is confiscated.
How much more gold can I bring?
On top of the duty-free amount you can bring up to 100 grams more of gold jewellery by paying duty at customs. You can also bring up to 100 grams of raw gold and up to 500 grams of silver jewellery by paying duty.
Is there a value allowance for the duty-paid goods?
Yes. If you stayed abroad six months to a year you get Rs 15,000 of those goods duty free. Over a year it's Rs 25,000. Travellers under 16 get half. You pay normal duty on anything above.
Can I send my things ahead by cargo?
A migrant worker abroad for six months or more can send used clothes and household things by post or cargo before or after flying, duty free, but has to be there for the customs check. Duty-paid goods sent separately must reach the customs warehouse within three months of your arrival.
I'm coming by land from India.
The notice doesn't give these allowances to people crossing by land. Customs can let through personal items worth up to Rs 500. Nepali students studying in India can bring one tablet, laptop or computer duty free.
Can I bring goods for someone else?
Goods brought under these allowances can't be registered or cleared in someone else's name. Family abroad can send goods up to USD 500 to relatives in Nepal, with duty charged.
Sources
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