Nepal

Heroin, cocaine, opium and other hard drugs are illegal in Nepal and the sentence is set by quantity: buying, selling, storing, transporting or importing even up to 25 grams of an opium- or coca-derived drug means 5 to 10 years in prison, and more than 100 grams means 15 years to life. Using one is punishable by up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to NPR 10,000. Cannabis has its own, lighter scale - see the cannabis rule.

Opium, coca or drugs made from them: use - up to 1 year or a fine up to NPR 10,000 (s. 14(1)(ङ)); any other prohibited dealing, including buying, selling, storing, transporting or importing - up to 25 g: 5 to 10 years plus NPR 5,000 to 25,000; 25 g to 100 g: 10 to 15 years plus NPR 75,000 to 200,000; over 100 g: 15 years to life plus NPR 500,000 to 2,500,000 (s. 14(1)(छ)). Cultivating opium or coca: 1 to 3 years up to 25 plants, 3 to 10 years above that (s. 14(1)(च)). Misusing a narcotic or psychotropic substance notified by the Government in the Nepal Gazette: up to 2 months, a fine up to NPR 2,000, or both (s. 14(1)(ज)). For use offences the court may withhold punishment if a person or institution undertakes in writing to keep the user in treatment at a rehabilitation centre and reports on it every fifteen days.

Verified Sep 19, 2026

Cannabis is illegal in Nepal, but the law puts it in its own category and treats it far more leniently than other drugs. Consuming cannabis or hashish carries up to one month in jail or a fine of up to Rs 2,000. Buying, carrying or storing up to 50 grams carries up to three months or a fine of up to Rs 3,000, and the penalties rise with weight from there. Hashish and charas count as cannabis under this law, not as a hard drug.

Consumption: up to 1 month's imprisonment or a fine up to Rs 2,000. Purchase, storage, supply or transport — up to 50 g: up to 3 months or up to Rs 3,000; 50–500 g: 1 month to 1 year plus Rs 1,000–5,000; 500 g–2 kg: 6 months to 2 years plus Rs 2,000–10,000; 2–10 kg: 1 to 3 years plus Rs 5,000–25,000; 10 kg or more: 2 to 10 years plus Rs 15,000–100,000. Repeat offences add up to 5 years and Rs 100,000.

Verified Aug 23, 2026

Confirm your medication is legal with the Embassy of Nepal (enforcement of restrictions is irregular) and carry medications in original packaging with your prescription.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Do not bring any firearm or ammunition into Nepal, including imitation firearms or items in jewelry form.

Criminal prosecution.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Declare cash over USD 5,000 (or USD 10,000 in notes and travellers cheques combined) and keep the stamped form. Gold jewelry over 50 g (women) / 25 g (men) and silver over 100 g is not allowed; Indian notes larger than 100 rupees are illegal.

Undeclared gold or silver: a fine equal to the value of the goods, confiscation, and one month to 5 years in prison depending on value.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Do not carry articles of archaeological or religious significance, wildlife items, or valuable metals through ports of entry without authorization; exporting antiques/cultural artifacts without a government certificate is illegal.

Criminal prosecution.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Driving in Nepal after consuming any amount of alcohol can result in arrest (zero tolerance).

Arrest.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Declare tobacco on arrival in Nepal and use the Red Channel. Nepal customs authority is unreachable and publishes no allowance you can check right now; the tourism board figure of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars is the only official number available and it may be out of date.

Verified Sep 2, 2026

To drive legally in Nepal you need a Nepali licence or a 1968-Convention International Driving Permit with your home licence (the 1949 permit is no longer accepted); traffic drives on the left and police may ask for documents.

Greater legal liability without an IDP if in an accident.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Drones are strictly regulated throughout Nepal: register the drone with CAAN for a Unique Identification Number, then get flight permission from the Home Ministry and other authorities — registration alone is not authorization to fly.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Do not bring a satellite phone, satellite messenger, walkie-talkie or ham radio into Nepal without a licence - it is an offence merely to HOLD one, and the penalty is seizure plus a fine equal to the full assessed value of the device. This catches trekking and expedition kit. Your ordinary mobile phone is exempt while you use a licensed network; but if you buy a local Nepali SIM you must register your phone IMEI with the NTA within 15 days, whereas roaming on your home SIM needs no registration at all.

Radio Act s.6(1): the Government or its designated authority SHALL SEIZE the radio machine, assess its value, and fine the holder a sum EQUAL TO THAT ASSESSED VALUE. Sections 6(2) and 7 further allow seizure of any radio machine suspected of connection to an offence, and seized or unclaimed machines devolve to the Government. The NEIR directive specifies no fine; its documented consequence is denial or blocking of cellular network service to an unregistered or non-genuine handset.

Verified Sep 3, 2026

There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex relations or LGB events in Nepal, but it is a conservative society where discrimination and non-violent harassment occur; discretion and avoiding public displays of affection are advised.

No criminal penalty; social discretion advised.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Religious conversion and proselytizing are illegal in Nepal — a criminal offense — so faith-based travelers including those doing mission work should be aware.

Criminal offense.

Verified Jul 27, 2026