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HS 61, 62

Customs Duty on Clothing & Fashion in Nepal (2026): 0%–20% + VAT

Apparel spans two full tariff chapters (61 knitted, 62 woven) with over two hundred Nepal rate lines ranging from single digits to nearly 60% - protection for the domestic garment industry is real, and the exact article determines the bill. Fast-fashion hauls from Shein, Zara and H&M remain popular imports anyway because selection in Kathmandu is a fraction of what those catalogues carry.

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Live tariff

HS-code duty rates for clothing & fashion

The duty column is the customs rate charged on the assessable (CIF) value; 13% VAT is then applied on the duty-inclusive amount for VAT-liable lines.

HS codeDescriptionCustoms dutyVAT
61012000Clothing items men's and women's0%13%
62011100Clothing accessories, gloves, socks, ties, shawls, scarves, mufflers, handkerchiefs20%13%
62114200saree5%13%
62044220Women Dress Western20%13%

Rates are the tariff we apply when quoting real shipments to Nepal; excise duty, where levied for a specific product class, is charged in addition.

Worked example

What NPR 15,000 of clothing & fashion costs to land in Nepal

Step by step, using the representative rate for this category (20% duty on HS 62011100, 13% VAT). Your exact rate depends on the precise HS code in the table above.

Clothing & Fashion (goods value)
NPR 15,000
International freight (illustrative, 10% of goods)
NPR 1,500
Assessable value (CIF = goods + freight)
NPR 16,500
Customs duty (20% of CIF, HS 62011100)
NPR 3,300
VAT (13% of CIF + duty)
NPR 2,574
Estimated landed cost
NPR 22,374

Nepal assesses every courier import - there is no de-minimis exemption, so even small parcels are taxed at these rates. Freight is illustrative - use the calculator for a quote with real shipping on your actual item.

Before you order

What to know about importing clothing & fashion

  • Rates vary widely by article and fibre - check the table's range rather than assuming one number for 'clothes'.

  • Personal-use quantities (a season's wardrobe) clear routinely; bale-sized shipments read as commercial textile import.

  • Customs values fast-fashion honestly against platform pricing - Shein invoices are recognised and accepted.

  • Used clothing imports are restricted commercially; personal second-hand items in baggage are fine.

What we ship

Popular clothing & fashion imports

Shein hauls

Zara

H&M

Uniqlo

Nike sportswear

Levi's jeans

Clothing & Fashion import questions, answered

How much customs duty do clothes attract in Nepal?+
Apparel duty in Nepal ranges from single digits to almost 60% depending on the exact article and fibre (see the live table's spread), with 13% VAT on the duty-inclusive value. A mixed fast-fashion order typically averages out in the 20-30% combined range - still worthwhile against catalogues Kathmandu retail never carries.
Is a Shein or Zara haul worth importing to Nepal after tax?+
Usually yes, for selection rather than price. After duty, VAT and freight a haul costs more than sticker price, but the alternatives - thin local stock or Instagram resellers with 2x markups - make direct import the better deal for anything beyond basics.
How much clothing can I import before it counts as commercial?+
There is no published piece-count, but proportionality rules: a personal order of one or two dozen mixed items clears as consumer goods, while cartons of identical articles in size runs read as trade stock requiring an import licence. Keep orders personal-shaped and clearance stays routine.
Why does Nepal tax imported clothing so heavily?+
Garments are a domestic manufacturing sector Nepal actively protects, so woven and knitted articles carry some of the schedule's steeper consumer rates. The policy logic mirrors India's: imported fast fashion pays for the privilege, local production gets the tariff shelter.

Related duty guides

Customs duty on shoes & sneakers

HS 64

Customs duty on handbags & luggage

HS 4202

Customs duty on watches

HS 9101, 9102

All Nepal duty categoriesImport cost calculatorShip to Nepal with iWishBag

Import clothing & fashion without customs surprises

Send us the product link. We quote goods, freight, the exact per-HSN duty and VAT as one all-in landed price - then buy, ship and clear it for you.

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