Nepal recorded a 13.11 percent surge in smartphone imports during the first eight months of fiscal year 2024/25 compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.

According to trade statistics released by the Department of Customs, from mid-July 2024 to mid-March 2025, the country imported smartphones worth Rs 21.91bn, a notable increase from Rs 19.37bn in the corresponding period of 2023/24. 

Customs data reveals that 1,407,078 units of smartphones were imported over these eight months, with 177,121 units arriving in the eighth month alone (mid-February to mid-March). The government mobilized Rs 4.08bn in revenue from smartphones in the review period.

Chinese manufacturers maintained their dominance in the review period, as 1,107,083 units valued at Rs 15.09bn were imported from the northern neighbour. India followed as the second-largest source, with 294,822 units worth Rs 6.39bn imported in eight months. Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, Redmi, Oppo, realme, OnePlus and iTel are immensely popular among Nepali consumers because of their affordability and widespread availability. South Korean smartphone brand Samsung is also immensely popular with Nepali consumers. Most of the Samsung phones brought to Nepal are manufactured in India. Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo and Vivo are also made in India. 

Beyond China and India, smartphones also entered Nepal from countries like Canada, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, though in smaller volumes. These imports were largely brought into the country by Nepalis returning from abroad, particularly migrant workers and students, who often purchase high-end devices unavailable or more expensive in the local market. 

In the first eight months of the previous fiscal year (2023/24), Nepal imported 918,024 units from China worth Rs 13.29bn and 327,560 units from India valued at Rs 5.78bn. By mid-January 2025, the sixth month of the current fiscal year, imports had already reached Rs 16.71bn, signaling a consistent upward trajectory in smartphone imports.

Nepal imported smartphones worth Rs 28.66bn, totaling 1,839,035 units, in fiscal year 2023/24. Smartphones worth Rs 18.95bn were imported from India, while Rs 9.25bn worth of smartphones came from India during the year. The government collected Rs 5.33bn in revenue from these imports.