Nepal has imported smartphones worth Rs 26.68 arba in the first seven months of FY 2082/83. According to the latest report from the Department of Customs, Nepali traders brought in over 14 lakh units of smartphones in the very period (till the end of Magh), 2082.
The report shows that 14 lakh, 14 thousand, and 938 units of smartphones were brought into the country till Magh 2082. Likewise, the government collected Rs 4 arba, 97 crore, 80 lakh, and 65 thousand in revenues.
In total, Nepal transacted its smartphone imports with 54 different countries. As usual, China dominated the trade while India trailed in second, followed by Australia, the UAE, the USA, etc.
From China, Nepal imported 12 lakh, 4 thousand, and 577 smartphones worth Rs 21.32 arba until Magh 2082. Similarly, India exported 2 lakh, 4 thousand, 658 units of smartphones worth over Rs 4.95 arba.
The transaction volume is rather minimal with other countries. What’s rather more important is that the phone business has been restored with flagship phones, midrange, and affordable ones, all coming in deluge to the Nepali market.
However, these are official figures only. It’s said that thousands of units are still brought and sold in Nepal via the grey market. Unfortunately, though, MDMS, the government’s weapon to curb grey phones, didn’t come into operation after controversies clouded its operation.
| Rank | Smartphone import countries | Units | Amount (in thousands) |
| 1 | China | 1,204,577 | 21,326,109 |
| 2 | India | 204,658 | 4,953,214 |
| 3 | Australia | 1,968 | 84,284 |
| 4 | United Arab Emirates | 755 | 73,229 |
| 5 | United States | 742 | 88,977 |
It’s widely stated that the election might have caused more volumes of smartphone imports into Nepal. Being a key medium for communication, sales of smartphones certainly surge during the elections. It becomes useful for promotions, campaigns, and staying updated with election news.
