Moving from the UAE to Nepal
In short
Shipping household goods from the UAE to Nepal takes 10–20 days port to port for a full container to Kolkata (transit), or 3–6 days by air through Tribhuvan. Clearance is handled by Department of Customs, Nepal under Returning resident personal effects relief. Landlocked: cargo clears Kolkata then moves overland under an Indian transit bond, which is the slow step.
| Capital | Kathmandu |
|---|---|
| Arrival port | Kolkata (transit) |
| Airport | Tribhuvan |
| Sea — full container | 10–20 days |
| Sea — shared container | 20–30 days |
| Air freight | 3–6 days |
What is different about moving to Nepal?
Landlocked: cargo discharges at Kolkata or Visakhapatnam and moves overland under an Indian transit bond. The Indian transit leg is the slow and unpredictable part, not the sea voyage.
Who clears your shipment in Nepal?
Department of Customs, Nepal, under Returning resident personal effects relief. Birgunj is the main land customs point for Kathmandu-bound cargo.
How long does it take, and by which route?
A full container runs 10–20 days port to port to Kolkata (transit); shared container space takes 20–30 days because it must be consolidated before departure and unpacked on arrival. Air freight through Tribhuvan is 3–6 days. Add roughly two weeks across packing, clearance at both ends and final delivery.
What happens when it arrives?
Kathmandu streets are narrow and congested; a small vehicle and hand carry are normal for the final stretch. We survey the destination access before quoting rather than discovering it on the day, because a street a full-size vehicle cannot enter means a shuttle, and an upper floor without a lift means a longer carry. Both are priced at survey.
Documents you need
- Passport copy — Photo page, plus the UAE residence visa and exit stamp.
- Itemised and valued packing list — The document customs actually reads. We produce it as the goods are packed.
- Proof of continuous residence abroad — Employment or tenancy records covering the qualifying period.
- Transfer of Residence declaration — Confirms you are returning to settle rather than visiting.
- Bill of lading or air waybill — Issued once the shipment is loaded.
- Authorisation for the clearing agent — Lets our destination agent clear on your behalf.
Shipping a vehicle
Vehicle import into Nepal is tightly restricted. Age limits, homologation requirements and duty rates that can approach or exceed the vehicle's own value rule out most cars being shipped from the UAE. For the majority of people relocating, selling before departure is the better financial outcome, and we will tell you so rather than quote a shipment that will not clear economically.
Taking pets
Cats and dogs travelling to Nepal need a microchip, a current rabies vaccination and an international veterinary health certificate, and most destinations also require an import permit obtained in advance. Where a rabies antibody titre test is required, it carries a fixed waiting period after the sample is taken that cannot be compressed — which is why a pet move is planned around the animal's calendar rather than your flight date.
Restricted and prohibited items
- Satellite phones
- Drones without prior clearance
- Gold and silver beyond declared allowances
- Maps depicting disputed borders
- Flammable liquids, gas cylinders, aerosols and paint
- Fireworks, ammunition and explosives
- Narcotics and controlled substances
- Endangered species products (CITES)
What affects the price
Volume is the main driver, then whether you take shared container space or a full container — the crossover usually sits around fifteen cubic metres. Destination charges at Kolkata (transit) are billed separately from the ocean freight and vary more than people expect. Delivery to an address a full-size vehicle cannot reach needs a smaller shuttle, and that is quoted at survey rather than added afterwards.
Questions about Nepal
Why does Nepal take so long?
The sea leg to Kolkata is short; the Indian transit bond and the overland move to Birgunj are what add weeks. Planning around the transit rather than the sailing is the key to a realistic timeline.
Can I fly my goods to Kathmandu instead?
For smaller loads, yes, and it bypasses the Indian transit entirely. Given how much time the overland leg adds, air freight is more often the right answer here than on most corridors.
How long does a container take to reach Kolkata (transit)?
10–20 days for a full container and 20–30 days for shared space, which is slower because the container is consolidated before departure and unpacked on arrival. Packing, clearance at both ends and delivery add roughly two more weeks.
Is air freight to Tribhuvan worth the extra cost?
For small, urgent or high-value loads, often yes — 3–6 days against 20–30 days by shared container. Below about two cubic metres the fixed port and handling charges on a sea shipment narrow the gap considerably. A common split is to air-freight a fortnight of essentials and send the rest by sea.
Can you deliver to my address in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu streets are narrow and congested; a small vehicle and hand carry are normal for the final stretch. We check this at survey, because a street a full-size vehicle cannot enter means a shuttle and an upper floor without a lift means a longer carry — both of which belong in the quote rather than in a conversation on the day.
Customs, vehicle and pet import rules change, and transit bands are corridor averages rather than promises. We confirm what applies to your shipment in writing before booking.
Last updated:
Get a free quote
A free survey and a fixed written price before you commit to anything.