 Customs
and Airport
Green Channel: All baggage must be declared and cleared
through the customs on arrival at the port entry. Passengers
arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) without any
dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for a quick
clearance without a baggage check. If you are carrying dutiable
articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel for a detailed
customs clearance
Import: 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.
Airport Tax:
Passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport are
required to pay airport tax of Rs. 770 if going to SAARC countries
(Bangladesh, Bhutan India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and Rs.
1100 to all international destinations. Domestic airport tax is Rs.
165.
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
Communication
Services:
The General post office is located near Dharahara 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.
Newspapers and Magazines:
The major newspapers in Katmandu are: The Rising Nepal (Daily) -
English, The Katmandu Post (Daily) - English, Gorkhapatra (Daily) -
Nepali, Kantipur (Daily) - Nepali. Besides a number of other local
and international newspapers and magazines are also available in the
book stalls.
Radio: 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.
Television: Nepal
Television transmits from 7 am to 9 pm and 6 pm to 10:30 pm. On
Saturday special entertaining programs are transmitted from 12 noon
to 5 pm.
Electricity
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.
Foreign
Currency / Credit Cards
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.
Trekking
Permit
Trekking permit is not essential for the general trekking areas such
as The Everest, The Annapurna and The Lang Tang.
Some
Dos and Some Don'ts
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. |
|
