Nepal Importer of Record at a Glance:
Importer of Record
- IT hardware shipments to Nepal can take several months, and you should plan your timeline accordingly
- Nepal has strict local-sale rules and banking regulations
IT Shipping & Logistics
- It may be difficult to secure air-freight to Nepal due to the low volume of flights
- The harsh geography and climate of Nepal can make last-mile deliveries difficult
Importer of Record and Pre-Shipment Documentation
Local Sale Transactions
Nepalese customs closely reviews the origin of each transaction, whether or not payment for the imported goods is required, and how the ownership will be managed in-country. Depending on the set-up of your local entities in the U.S. and the status of your entity in Nepal, you may have to undergo a more complex process so you can properly import your equipment.
The local sale process is not necessarily more complex in Nepal but it does take longer than in most other countries, even when compared to countries in the region with similar processes. We recommend that you plan a couple of months ahead of time for your shipments to Nepal to ensure that your equipment arrives on time.
Banking Regulations
The most complex part of importing into Nepal is getting approval from local banks. The local bank in Nepal must approve your documentation for local sale, proof of purchase, and export letters of credit. Due to the complexity of the process and the slow bureaucratic institutions, gaining proper authorization from banks can be the largest contributor to the lengthy shipping timeline.
IT Shipping & Logistics
Securing air freight is another major contributor to the lengthy shipment process. Wide-bodied air freight that can transport large amounts of IT hardware is scarce and thus difficult to secure. Cargo flights are not consistent to Nepal so it can take several weeks to secure air freight, and in some cases, you may have to book a charter flight.
Additionally, when shipping IT hardware into Nepal you have to be mindful of the geography and climate. The Himalayas make up a large portion of the geography, which can make last-mile delivery to remote locations difficult. Nepal also lies in a region affected by monsoons from June to August. During these months, shipments may face delays.
FGX manages all of our client’s shipments door-to-door (or door-to-datacenter). This case study showcases how we navigated IT logistics and importation into Nepal at the time that it was written. Regulations and challenges are constantly changing and exact shipping requirements may have changed. To learn more about FGX and how our global shipping platform can help your company, reach out here.
