NRB allows Nepali, foreign citizens to bring $5,000 cash; permits INR 25,000

KATHMANDU: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has republished rules on bringing cash foreign currency into Nepal and taking it out, restating limits and procedures set out in earlier notices and national law.

The bank said notices published on July 16, 2018 and April 9, 2019, were issued under the provisions of Sections 5 and 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Regulation) Act, 2019 (1962), and Section 29A of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2064 (2008). It said Nepali and foreign citizens may bring foreign currency up to $5,000 into Nepal without a customs declaration. For Indian rupees, the limit is the equivalent of $5,000; the same equivalent limit applies to other foreign currencies whose exchange rates are not published by the central bank. Amounts exceeding these limits must be declared to customs and certified.

Exercising the authority granted by Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Regulation) Act, the bank directed all concerned to comply with the notices of July 16, 2018 and April 9, 2019.

Citing a notice published in the Nepal Gazette on January 12, 2026 (Volume 75, Number 57, Part 5), the bank said transactions using Indian rupee notes of denominations 500 and 1,000 that were in circulation prior to November 9, 2016 are not permitted. It said Nepali and Indian citizens may bring, carry and exchange Indian rupee notes of denominations 200 and 500 issued since November 9, 2016, subject to a limit of INR 25,000 per person and to prevailing rules.

The notice also states that Nepali citizens are not permitted to take Indian rupees to countries other than India, nor to bring Indian rupees into Nepal from countries other than India.

The bank added that the notice it issued on August 26, 2025, relating to this subject has been repealed.