Nepali flag (FlagPictures.org)

A landlocked nation in South Asia surrounded by China, India, Bangladesh and Bhutan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal imported an estimated US$10.9 billion worth of goods in 2025.

That dollar amount results from a -30.8% decrease from $15.8 billion in Nepalese spending 5 years earlier in 2021 and a 1.9% year-over-year gain from $10.7 billion during 2024.

Based on the average exchange rate for 2025, the Nepalese rupee strengthened by 15.2% against the US dollar since 2021 and grew by 3.9% from 2024 to 2025. Nepal’s stronger local currency made Nepalese imports paid for starting from the Nepalese rupee relatively less expensive for importers located in Nepal.

Nepal’s top 5 imported products are processed petroleum oils, petroleum gases, phone devices including smartphones, iron ore reduced products then rice. Combined, the 5 most valuable imported goods in 2025 represent a concentration exceeding one quarter (27%) of the overall value of Nepalese imports.

The latest available country-specific data from 2022 shows that 94.9% of products exported from Nepal was bought by importers in: India (71.9% of the Nepalese total), United States of America (11.3%), Germany (2.5%), Türkiye (2%), United Kingdom (1.8%), France (1%), Australia (0.8%), Japan (0.8%), Canada (0.8%), Italy (also 0.8%), Netherlands (0.6%) and Denmark (also 0.6%).

Applying a continental lens, 77.5% of Nepal’s total imports by value was purchased from fellow Asian countries.

Smaller percentages came from sellers located in North America (12.1%), Europe (9.2%), Oceania (0.9%) led by Australia and New Zealand), Africa (0.2%), then Latin America (0.1%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean.

Given Nepal’s population of 31.6 million people, its total US$10.9 billion in 2025 imports translates to roughly $350 in yearly product demand from every person in the Himalayan country. That dollar metric exceeds the average $325 per capita one year earlier during 2024.

Domestically, the inflation rate for consumer prices fell to an average 4.863% annually in 2025 compared to 5.423% for 2024.

Nepal’s top 10 imports accounted for approaching two-thirds (64.3%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.

Imported fertilizers posted the most greatest percentage increase in value among Nepal’s top 10 import categories, up 71.4% from 2024 to 2025.

In second place were Nepal’s imports of cereals (up 28%) trailed by fruits and nuts (up 27.1%) and vehicles (up 17.8%).

Declining import product categories machinery including computers (down -1.4% from 2024) and mineral fuels including oil (down -0.7%).

Please note that the information presented below is at the more granular 4-digit level.

Among these import subcategories, Nepali purchases of natural bitumen, asphalt and shale (up 84.4%), petroleum oil residues (up 60.2%) then asphalt or petroleum bitumen mixes (up 32.2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2024 to 2025.

These amounts and the percentage changes within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported mineral fuels including oil among businesses and consumers in Nepal.

Among these import subcategories, Nepali purchases of heavy machinery including bulldozers, excavators and road rollers (up 118.4%), air conditioners (up 27.2%) then air or vacuum pumps (up 19.7%) grew at the fastest pace from 2024 to 2025.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery including computers among Nepali businesses and consumers.

Among these import subcategories, Nepali purchases of phone devices including smartphones (up 29.2%), lower-voltage switches or fuses (up 24.8%) then electric storage batteries (up 15.8%) grew at the fastest pace from 2024 to 2025.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported electronics among Nepali businesses and consumers.

Among these import subcategories, Nepali purchases of trucks (up 127.7%), chassis fitted with engine (up 87.4%) then tractors (up 75.4%) grew at the fastest pace from 2024 to 2025.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported vehicles among Nepali businesses and consumers.

See also Nepal’s Top 10 Exports, Nepal’s Top Trading Partners, India’s Top Trading Partners, Palm Oil Exports by Country and Top Cardamoms Exports & Imports by Country Plus Average Prices

Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Country Profiles. Accessed on October 3, 2026

EXCHANGE-RATES.org, Nepalese Rupee (NPR) To US Dollar (USD) Exchange Rate History. Accessed on October 3, 2026

International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Databases (GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity). Accessed on October 3, 2026

International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on October 3, 2026

Wikipedia, Nepal. Accessed on October 3, 2026