Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Nepal

Asia

In 2025 the United States exported $112.0 million of goods to Nepal and imported $123.8 million from there. Nepal ranked 149th among US export markets and 123rd among sources of US imports.

US exports, 2025
$112.0MDown 6.8% on 2024 ($120.1 million)
US imports, 2025
$123.8MUp 2.8% on 2024 ($120.4 million)
Goods balance
$11.8MUS deficit
Export market rank
149thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
123rdAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Nepal

Oil seeds, grains and fodder (chapter 12) led US exports to Nepal at $50.1 million, 45% of the total. The top three chapters made up 63%.

  1. 12Oil seeds, grains and fodder$50.1 million44.7%
  2. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$10.3 million9.2%
  3. 98Special classification provisions$9.8 million8.8%
  4. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$7.4 million6.6%
  5. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$7.1 million6.3%

US imports from Nepal

Carpets (chapter 57) led US imports from Nepal at $47.5 million, 38% of the total. The top three chapters made up 66%.

  1. 57Carpets$47.5 million38.4%
  2. 23Food industry residues and animal feed$24.1 million19.5%
  3. 63Other made-up textiles$9.5 million7.7%
  4. 62Non-knitted apparel$5.4 million4.4%
  5. 61Knitted apparel$5.1 million4.1%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Nepal, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Nepal requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Nepal.

Exports through the port, 2025
$9.3M8.3% of the US total with Nepal
Leading export goods
Food industry residues and animal feedHS chapter 23, $4.1 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$3.7M3.0% of the US total with Nepal
Leading import goods
Other made-up textilesHS chapter 63, $1.2 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Getting cargo to Nepal

Nepal is landlocked. Ocean cargo for Nepal discharges at a seaport in a neighboring country and moves on by road or rail.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.