Coming to Nepal from abroad on Dashain – what can you bring, what can’t you bring?
Coming to Nepal from abroad during the festive season of Dashain is a common occurrence for many Nepalis who have gone abroad for employment. However, it is important to be aware of the customs regulations regarding what can and cannot be brought back home. The Tribhuvan International Airport Customs Office has recently published a list of items that passengers are allowed to bring when returning to Nepal from abroad on Dasain.
One of the items that can be brought back home is gold jewelry. According to the Customs Office, women are allowed to bring 50 grams of gold jewelry without paying customs duty, while men are allowed to bring 25 grams. In addition to this, a person can bring up to 200 grams of gold jewelry at the customs point, along with the aforementioned amounts for women and men. It is important to note that gold jewelry that is made by giving only the shape of the jewelry, such as beruva rings, bala, and sikri, without the use of chemicals, is not recognized as jewelry under the legal system.
Another item that can be brought without paying customs duty is mobile phones. Nepali travelers returning from abroad do not have to pay customs if they bring the mobile phone they are currently using. Additionally, travelers who have worked abroad for more than 6 consecutive months with a work permit can bring one more mobile phone with them without paying customs. However, it is important to declare this additional mobile phone at the customs office.
When it comes to televisions, there are specific regulations depending on the duration of foreign employment and registration in the Social Security Fund. Passengers who have worked for 12 consecutive months with a work permit and are registered in the Social Security Fund can bring televisions of any size or type without paying customs duty. On the other hand, Nepalese travelers who are not listed in the Social Security Fund and have returned after working for 12 consecutive months with a work permit can only bring in a 32-inch television without paying customs. For all other cases, customs fees must be paid as per the rules.
Passengers carrying foreign currency worth more than 5,000 US dollars must self-declare at the airport. There is no duty or fee to be paid for the declaration of this amount.
The Customs Office has urged passengers coming from abroad during the festive seasons of Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath to only bring goods that are exempted by law for personal use. It is important for those who have gone for foreign employment to adhere to this request and not bring goods other than those exempted by law.
It is worth noting that there have been instances where strangers have sent various items as a lure to passengers returning to Nepal from foreign employment. The Customs Office has requested passengers to be cautious and aware of such situations.
In case passengers bring goods that are contrary to the law, those goods will be confiscated, and a fine equal to twice the value of the goods will be imposed, along with possible imprisonment. Therefore, it is essential to be well-informed about the customs regulations and to comply with them when returning to Nepal from abroad on Dashain.
