Nepal has imported 1.229 million smartphones worth approximately Rs 19 billion in the first seven months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25, according to the Department of Customs (DoC). The import value reflects a significant increase compared to the same period last year, with smartphones worth Rs 17.38 billion imported in FY 2023/24.
During the period from mid-July to mid-February, the customs duty collected on mobile phones valued at Rs 18.98 billion amounted to Rs 3.35 billion. The number of mobile sets imported this year is 126,000 more than the number imported during the same period last year. The increase in imports highlights a growing demand for smartphones in Nepal.
The highest share of imported smartphones falls within the price range of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000, catering to the largest segment of users in the market. The DoC’s data also reveals that the number of smartphone users in Nepal has risen in parallel with the increase in imports.
In recent years, there has been a notable shift in the types of phones being imported. While the import of general barphones has decreased, smartphone imports have surged, leading to an increase in prices. Five years ago, 2.6 million sets were imported in the same period, with a customs value of Rs 12.60 billion.
Nepal’s smartphone imports have shown a steady increase, with 2021 marking the highest value of mobile imports in the past five years, totaling Rs 28.38 billion. The continued rise in smartphone imports indicates a growing demand for advanced mobile technology in the country.
