Customs Duty Waivers for Re‑Importing Lost Flood Assets in Bhote‑Koshi Region

In a decisive move to aid businesses crippled by the Bhote‑Koshi floods, Nepal’s cabinet approved a customs exemption scheme for the re‑importation of damaged or lost assets. Companies that can prove their commercial vehicles, transport equipment, plant, machinery or other essential tools were either destroyed or swept away may register the loss and bring in identical replacements without incurring customs duties.

The scheme also addresses situations where customs duties were already paid on goods that never reached their intended destination because of the flood. Importers have a six‑month window to import equivalent items and receive a full adjustment of the previously paid duties, effectively refunding the amount through any customs office.

By removing the cost barrier of customs duties, the government aims to speed up the restoration of supply chains and commercial operations in the affected border zones with China. Officials anticipate that the policy will encourage rapid procurement of necessary equipment, thereby shortening the downtime for businesses and stabilising local markets.