Customs Bill Passed by House of Representatives

Kathmandu:  Nepal’s House of Representatives has passed the long-awaited Customs Bill, setting the stage for its review by the National Assembly.

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel presented the proposal during the parliamentary session, urging lawmakers to approve the bill. The House passed it with a majority.

This legislation was originally introduced by the previous administration. Former Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat had registered the bill in the House of Representatives on October 5, 2023 (18 Ashoj 2080 BS).

After initial delays, the bill was forwarded to the House’s Finance Committee on March 31, 2024 (18 Chaitra 2080 BS) for clause-by-clause discussions. The committee endorsed it and returned it to the House on April 26, 2025 (14 Baisakh 2081 BS), leading to its final passage on April 29, 2025.

What’s Next for the Customs Bill?

Now that the House has passed the bill, it will move to the National Assembly. If approved there, it will return to the House for concurrence before reaching the President of Nepal for certification. Once signed, the bill will become law and come into full effect.

This legislative process is part of the government’s broader efforts to modernize Nepal’s customs and trade regulation framework, aiming to reduce loopholes in trade, taxation, and cross-border transactions.