Customs Duty on Cosmetics & Skincare in Nepal (2026): 15%–20.75% + VAT
Beauty and skincare preparations under HS heading 3304 carry 15-20% customs duty into Nepal plus 13% VAT. Korean skincare routines and US makeup brands are steady import staples - the local market's authentic selection is narrow, and expiry-date games in grey retail push serious buyers toward direct import.
Live tariff
HS-code duty rates for cosmetics & skincare
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 code | Description | Customs duty | VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33041000 | Makeup preparations & Cosmetics items | 20.75% | 13% |
| 33042000 | Eye, lips makeup preparations | 20.75% | 13% |
| 33043000 | Manicure or pedicure preparations | 15% | 13% |
| 33049900 | Beauty & skin care preparations | 20% | 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 12,000 of cosmetics & skincare costs to land in Nepal
Step by step, using the representative rate for this category (20.75% duty on HS 33041000, 13% VAT). Your exact rate depends on the precise HS code in the table above.
- Cosmetics & Skincare (goods value)
- NPR 12,000
- International freight (illustrative, 10% of goods)
- NPR 1,200
- Assessable value (CIF = goods + freight)
- NPR 13,200
- Customs duty (20.75% of CIF, HS 33041000)
- NPR 2,739
- VAT (13% of CIF + duty)
- NPR 2,072
- Estimated landed cost
- NPR 18,011
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 cosmetics & skincare
Personal-use quantities of retail cosmetics clear routinely; commercial import of cosmetics involves Department of Drug Administration notification.
Aerosols (dry shampoo, setting sprays) are transport-restricted like perfume - keep them to a can or two.
Check expiry dates on arrival; sale-priced beauty stock can be short-dated, and returns from Nepal are impractical.
Skincare with pharmaceutical actives (tretinoin, high-dose acids) may be treated as medicine rather than cosmetics.
What we ship
Popular cosmetics & skincare imports
COSRX and Beauty of Joseon
The Ordinary
CeraVe
Laneige
MAC and NARS makeup
K-beauty sheet masks
Cosmetics & Skincare import questions, answered
How much duty do cosmetics attract when imported to Nepal?+
Is Korean skincare worth importing to Nepal after tax?+
Are there restrictions on importing skincare with strong actives?+
How large can a personal cosmetics order be?+
Import cosmetics & skincare 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.