You may have to pay a hefty fine of up to Rs 50,000 for selling goods on social sites. The provision in the eCommerce bill which seeks to regulate businesses on electronic platforms will strike sellers who promote and sell their products on Facebook, TikTok, and other sites without having their pages, app, or web platform.
The regulation comes from the eCommerce-Bill, 2080 registered in the upper house National Assembly by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supply, Ramesh Rijal Ashar 12, 2080. The bill holds that those who sell products on social media platforms without having their official electronic platforms such as YouTube channels, Facebook pages, websites, or mobile apps, etc. will be subject to a fine.
As per section 21’s clauses (a), (b), or (c) of section 21, if anyone is found guilty of the offense, an inspection officer can impose a fine of Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.
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Fine for selling on social media
Clause (a) of section 21, holds that for doing electronic business without establishing an electronic platform as per section 4, in section (b) for conducting business without listing as per section 5, and in section (c) for operating electronic business without disclosing the details related to goods or services as per section 6, the concerned seller will receive a fine from at least Rs 10,000 to a maximum of Rs 50,000.
It’s becoming common to promote and sell products online. Especially apparels, electronics, and auto owners promote and also sell their products and services. Likely, they don’t have any official website or a mobile app like leading eCommerce platforms in Nepal. So, as per the bill, such sellers would be subject to a fine by the government under the Electronic Business Bill, 2080.
The bill also aligns with the government’s broader vision to regulate and monitor social media. Social media use is rising and the government wants to capitalize on it and monitor unauthorized practices and also generate revenue from them. And now, the Electronic Business Bill, 2080 could ring an alarm for individuals or groups that are selling their products or services on social sites in the absence of their official portal or app.
Besides, the bill also states that sellers must refund the customers if the product sold is not the same as promoted and expected by the customer.
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