Apart from used personal
belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free
of duty cigarette (200) or cigars (50), distilled liquor
(one 1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls). You can also
bring in the following articles free of duty on condition
that you take them out with you when you leave: binoculars,
movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer and
portable music system.
Export
:
It is illegal to export objects
over 100 years old (sacred images, paintings, manuscripts)
that are valued for culture and religious reasons. Visitors
are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal's
cultural heritage and belong here. The Department of Archaeology
has to certify all metal statues, sacred paintings and similar
objects before they are allowed to be sent or carried out
of the country. Handicraft dealers and Nepal's travel agents
are able to assist you in this process. For more information
on Customs matters Contact the chief Customs Administrator,
TIA Customs Office.
Passengers departing from the
Tribhuvan International Airport are required to pay in domestic
airport departure tax of Rs. 200 each person only.
We have tried our best to give you the latest information;
however the taxes and custom laws are subjected to change
by Government of Nepal. So, please kindly check them out
when you are actually planning to visit Nepal. We should
not be held responsible for any changes in taxes or customs
laws, which are mentioned here
The General post office is
located near Dharahara (Sundhara) Tower and is open from 9
am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday. Stamps, aerogramme and postcards
may be purchased from 9 am to 5 pm at the counters. Services
like registration and insurance of mail and small packages,
and exchange of IRCs are also available. Express Mail Service
(EMS) is also available. Parcels can be sent and received
through the Foreign Post Office next door. It is open from
Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
The Nepal Telecommunication Corporation Office located
at Tripureswor provides ISD, STD, telex, fax and telegraph
services. Private communication centers and hotels also
provide ISD, STD, E-mail, Internet and fax services. The
STD Code for Nepal is 977. Inquiries can be made at 197.
The major newspapers
in Katmandu are: The Rising Nepal (Daily) - English,
The Katmandu Post (Daily) - English, Gorkhapatra (Daily)
- Nepali, Kantipur (Daily) - Nepali. Naya Patrika (Daily),
Samachar Patra (Daily), Nagarik (Daily), Annapurna Post
(Daily) Besides a number of other local and international
newspapers and magazines are also available in the book
stalls.
Radio Nepal broadcasts different
programs in both short wave and medium wave transmissions
through three sessions in a day from 6 am to 11 pm. FM radio
program also broadcasts pop music and other programs for entertainment.
English news bulletins are broadcast daily between 8 am and
8 pm.
Many major towns in Nepal
have electricity and the voltage available is 220 Volts and
50 cycles. Load shedding is sometime experienced in Nepal.
However; most of the major hotels have installed their own
generators.
Credit Cards like American
Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels,
shops and restaurants. Remember to keep your Foreign Exchange
Encashment, Receipt while making foreign exchange payments
or transferring foreign currency into Nepalese rupees. The
receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees
into foreign currency before leaving the country.
Major Banks, hotels and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan
Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency.
US-Dollar-traveller checks can be purchased from American
Express at Dubar Marg and other major banks in Katmandu.
Banks in Katmandu are open 10 am to 3:30 pm. Sunday through
Friday.
Exchange rates are published in English daily such as The
Rising Nepal and The Katmandu Post. Nepalese Rupees are
found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5,
2, 1. Coins are found in denominations of 10, 25 and 50
paisa. One rupee equals 100 paisa.
With its diverse ethnic groups
and traditional beliefs, Nepal has numerous cultural practices
that may appear unusual to a person on his/her first visit
to the country However, to enjoy your stay in the remarkable
country of white Himalayas and sparkling rivers it is important
to take into consideration the different cultural aspects
of the country. Here is a list of things, which may be helpful
to you.
- The form of greeting in Nepal is "Namaste"
and is performed by joining the palms together.
- Before entering a Nepalese home, temple, and stupa remember
to remove your shoes.
- Be careful not to use your spoon, fork or a hand being
used for your eating to touch other's food, plate, cooking
utensil or the serving dish. Do not eat from other people's
plate and do not drink from other people's bottle or glass.
It is considered impure by the Nepalese.
- Never touch anything with your feet. This is considered
an offence among Nepalese.
While traveling dress appropriately. Women should especially
avoid dressing in skimpy outfits.
- Seek permission first before entering a Hindu temple.
Many Hindu temples do not allow westerners or non-Hindus
to enter. Leather articles are prohibited to be taken inside
the temple precinct.
- Walking around temples or stupas is traditionally done
clockwise.
- Take photographs only after receiving permission for the
object or person being photographed.
- Remember, many times, when a person shakes his head from
left to right, he may mean "YES".
- Develop a genuine interest to meet and talk to Nepalese
people and respect their local customs.
