Top 10 Countries from which Items are imported to Nepal

Last updated on 2024-04-26

Nepal is one of the trade-liberalized nations with trade-dependent economies in South Asia. The tradition of foreign trade began in Nepal before 1951 A.D. with only India and Tibet as its neighboring countries. But later, after 1951 A.D. Nepal’s trade relations broadened with many other countries like Japan, the USA, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, etc. With its increasing foreign trade, the trade deficit also increased in the nation due to very few goods to export. Here, we have compiled the top ten countries with the highest import values in Nepal.

*The ranking is done based on the data published by the Department of Customs for the fiscal year 2077/78.

10. Canada

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Nepal and Canada established diplomatic long-standing friendly relations based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, and goodwill towards each other. In these five decades, Canadian cooperation has mainly contributed to strengthening the aviation sector and other areas such as energy, rural development, health, education, geographical survey, agriculture, poverty alleviation, health care, and food security. Canada and Nepal share exceptional and well-established bilateral ties, with trade flows between the two countries stand rather modest. Few of the major commodities imported include edible vegetables, paper, apparel, maps, and hydrographic, live animals, dried fish, vegetables, dried peas, prepared foods, whiskies, lubricating oil, medicine machinery and automobile appliances, parts thereof, Aircraft and parts, items related, pharmaceutical products, etc.

Import Value : Rs. 14,346,484
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1965 A.D.

9. South Korea

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

South Korea officially known as the “Republic of Korea” and Nepal have had trade relations for about half a century, with the Trade and Transit agreement signed in Seoul in 1974. In Nepal's economic development, the Republic of Korea is becoming a more essential and trusted partner. South Korea is one of the top five investors in Nepal by investing in multiple projects to establish a robust and direct trading platform. Nepal has imported goods worth more than 81 Million USD In the past year from South Korea. The volume of commerce between Nepal and the Republic of Korea has increased throughout time, with the trade balance significantly favoring Korea. The most imported commodities from Korea in Nepal are Machinery, Plastics, Paper, Minerals, and Vehicles.

Import Value : Rs. 16,423,031
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1974 A.D.

8. Australia

Image Source: mapsof.net

Australia and Nepal have established diplomatic relations with each other for more than 60 years. The relationship between the two nations has strengthened further over the years on a communal level. Australia has been a widely desired choice for students as well as businessmen which ultimately helps to expand the trade operations between the two nations. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database, Nepal has imported a total of 51.32 Million USD worth of products as of 2017. The import products and price from Australia to Nepal has been in a rising manner over the years. Nepal mainly imports products such as Petroleum, Dairy, Vegetables, and Minerals in a large quantity from Australia every year.

Import Value : Rs. 16,428,003
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1960 A.D.

7. Indonesia

Image Source: seekpng.com

Indonesia and Nepal have had a beautiful trade relation for decades, with the diplomatic relation between the two nations been maintained for more than 60 years. Nepal imports a large number of Vegetables, Raw materials, Wood, etc. from Indonesia every year. Nepal being a landlocked country, most of the trade between the two nations is conducted through either airway transits of the neighboring countries as there is no direct air link between Nepal and Indonesia. Indonesia also promotes a trade relationship between Bali and Kathmandu due to cultural similarities and tourist interests. The value of trade between the two countries has reached US$14 Million, favoring Indonesia in a significant manner. The main imported products from Indonesia to Nepal are Fruits, Nuts, Palm oil, Paper, and Chemicals.

Import Value : Rs. 17,128,608
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1960 A.D.

6. Ukraine

Image Source: openclipart.org

With 27 years of democratic relationship between Ukraine and Nepal, both countries have remained friendly and cooperative with each other. Compared to other European countries, Nepal's commercial dealings with Ukraine are still in the early stages of development. As of 2019, 39 Million Dollars worth of goods have been imported from Ukraine. Primary imports from Ukraine include animal or vegetable fats and oils, edible vegetables and some roots and tubers, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, wood, and wood products such as wood charcoal, and electrical gear and equipment.

Import Value : Rs. 17,176,803
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1993 A.D.

5. United States of America

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Nepal and the United States of America (USA) established official bilateral ties on the foundation of a robust and beneficial partnership. Both nations have had a trading relationship for over 74 years. Both nations have signed a trade and investment framework agreement, which establishes a platform for bilateral discussions to improve trade and investment, debate particular trade concerns, and promote more comprehensive trade accords. Nepal imported products from the United States worth $122 million in 2019, an increase of 120.4 percent ($67 million) over 2018 and 294.6 percent over 2009. Oilseeds and oleaginous fruits (soybeans) ($56 million), food waste, animal feed ($14 million), special other (low-value estimates) ($11 million), equipment ($11 million), and optical and medical instruments ($9 million) are the top import from the USA to Nepal.

Import Value : Rs. 19,501,416
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1947 A.D.

4. United Arab Emirates

Image Source: Shuttershock

The diplomatic relationship between the UAE and Nepal was founded on goodwill, friendliness, and mutual understanding. Both countries have a good trade relationship because they have been associated for more than 44 years. At the international level, Nepal and the UAE, as members of the United Nations and the Non-Alignment Movement, have shared perspectives on major global problems ranging from renewable energy and climate change to world peace and terrorism. The main importable goods from the UAE include gold, silver, petro-bitumen, lubricating oil, and so on. From 2009 to 2017, the UAE accounted for 0.5 percent of total exports and 4.5 percent of total imports.

Import Value : Rs. 37,135,516
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1977 A.D.

3. Argentina

Image Source: duckduckgo.com

Nepal and Argentina established their diplomatic bilateral relations based on goodwill, friendship, and mutual understanding. With the association between the two countries for more than 50 years, the Argentine Government has shown its keen interest in extending the technical cooperation on leather processing in Nepal under the South-South Cooperation. The Ambassador of Argentina resident in Delhi is currently authorized to Nepal whereas the permanent representative of Nepal to the UN in New York is concurrently appointed to Argentina in order to build a fellowship between the two nations. The items imported from Argentina either are received in the country through airways or roadways from India or Tibet border. Few of the major commodities imported by Nepal from Argentina are edible vegetables and certain roots, cereals, fats, chemicals, stones, machines, and automobile and mechanical appliances, optical, etc.

Import Value : Rs. 41,939,977
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1962 A.D.

2. China

Image Source: Dreamstime

Nepal- China trade business has been continuing since ancient times. With the open border between the two nations in Kodari-Nyalam, Rasuwa-Keyrong, Yari(Humla)-Purang, OlangchungGola-Riwu, Kimathanka Riwu, and Nechung(Mustang)- Lizi, China is considered to be the second-largest trading partner of Nepal. The government of Nepal is encouraging businessmen to increase trade with China. Nepal–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCCI) was established with a sole motive to maintain the intimate relationship between Chinese industrialists and businessmen through the mediums of the bilateral relationship. The China- Nepal trade association plays an important role to boost up the economy of the country and drive to promote commercial exchanges. Some of the popular imported materials from China are utensils, clothing items, beauty products, electronics, footwear, agricultural products, and many more.

Import Value : Rs. 2,33,923,060
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1955 A.D.

1. India

Image Source: Sensational Color

India is Nepal’s largest trade associate and transit trade for almost the entire third-country trade of Nepal. Purchases from India are normally paid in terms of Indian Rupees. When Indian suppliers import their products to Nepalese buyers, Indian excise duty must be paid and included in the sale price by the supplier. However, the rate of excise duty varies widely from product to product. Being a landlocked country, most of Nepal’s international trade takes place via transit in India. Nepali cargo is mostly routed through Indian ports in 4 different transit points i.e. Birgunj-Raxaul, Biratnagar-Jogbani, Bhairahawa-Sunauli, and Nepalgunj-Rupediya to international standards. The two countries have signed a Treaty of Transit, which confers transit rights through each other’s territory through mutually agreed routes and modalities. The most imported commodities in Nepal from India are mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, iron, steel, food, vehicles, and pharmaceutical products.

Import Value : Rs. 9,71,603,945
Diplomatic relation established in: : 1947 A.D.