Kathmandu, July 28: Nepal imported a record number of smartphones in the 2025/26 fiscal year, with the import bill approaching Rs. 49 billion amid rising consumer demand and growing purchases of premium devices.
According to the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 2,267,419 smartphones worth Rs. 48.69 billion during the fiscal year. In comparison, the country imported 2,184,694 smartphones worth Rs. 35.54 billion in the previous fiscal year.
The latest figures show that smartphone imports increased by 37 percent in value and 3.78 percent in quantity over the previous year. The government also collected approximately Rs. 9.08 billion in customs revenue from smartphone imports during the review period.
Customs data indicate a steady rise in smartphone imports over recent years. Nepal imported 1,839,035 smartphones worth Rs. 28.66 billion in fiscal year 2023/24 and 1,569,596 smartphones worth Rs. 24.39 billion in 2022/23.
The increase in import value suggests not only stronger consumer demand but also a growing preference for higher-priced smartphone models.
China and India dominate the market
Nepal imported smartphones from 69 countries during the fiscal year, although China and India continued to dominate the market. China remained Nepal’s largest supplier, exporting 1,889,664 smartphones worth Rs. 36.79 billion, accounting for 83 percent of total imports by volume and 75.5 percent by value.
Imports from China generated Rs. 6.86 billion in customs revenue for the government. India ranked second, supplying 364,842 smartphones worth Rs. 10.99 billion, representing 16 percent of total import volume. The government collected Rs. 2.04 billion in customs revenue from imports originating in India.
Imports from other countries
Although in much smaller quantities, Nepal also imported smartphones from a wide range of other countries, including:
- Australia: 2,766 units worth Rs. 185 million
- United States: 1,789 units worth Rs. 223 million
- United Arab Emirates: 1,394 units worth Rs. 129 million
- Japan: 1,520 units worth Rs. 124 million
- Cambodia: 1,506 units worth Rs. 43 million
- Qatar: 1,834 units worth Rs. 26 million
- South Korea: 853 units worth Rs. 46 million
- United Kingdom: 303 units worth Rs. 35 million
The Department of Customs also recorded smartphone imports from dozens of other countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and Oceania. #nepal
