KATHMANDU: Two auto shows are scheduled to take place in Kathmandu in the next three weeks. The NAIMA Nepal Mobility Expo 2025 is scheduled to begin on August 5, while the NADA Auto Show 2025 is set to kick off on August 19.
Accordingly, automobile dealers have intensified preparations for the events. Over two dozen new electric vehicle (EV) models and brands are expected to be unveiled across the two shows. More than half a dozen of these new EVs have already arrived in Nepal.
While preparations for the auto shows are underway in Kathmandu, the main entry points for EV imports into Nepal are unusually quiet.
The main entry points for EV imports in Nepal are Rasuwagadhi of Rasuwa and Tatopani of Sindhupalchowk. The Rasuwagadhi border has been closed since July 8 due to a flood in the Lhendekhola river that washed away the bridge connecting China and Nepal. While work on building a Bailey bridge over the river has begun, there is no confirmed date for its reopening. As a result, vehicles that dealers had planned to bring via Kerung (Gyirong) before the closure are now stranded and unable to reach Kathmandu.
Even though Rasuwagadhi is closed since the flooding, very few vehicles have entered the country via Tatopani border.
Tatopani, Nepal’s second-largest trading point with China, is also seeing low activity. Even though Rasuwagadhi is closed, very few vehicles have entered the country via Tatopani, according to Surya Prasad Kafle, Information Officer at the Tatopani Customs Office.
According to Kafle, only eight vehicles have arrived at the customs office since the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 17. Of those, five brands brought only one or two units each. “Since the budget announcement, very few new vehicles have come through customs. Only eight new units have arrived since the beginning of the fiscal year. Some have cleared customs, while others are still pending,” he told MeroAuto.
He added that EVs from brands such as Leapmotor, Kama, Nammi, Deepal and Jaecoo have arrived since the new fiscal year began.
“Dealers probably have brought a few new models for the auto shows. However, due to the rush of Kailash/Mansarovar pilgrims, there might be delays in reaching customs. They should arrive in a few days,” Kafle said.
Most dealers are bringing in only 1–2 units of the new vehicles for display at the auto shows.
Meanwhile, some dealers are also importing vehicles intended for the auto shows via India. These EVs typically enter Nepal through the Bhairahawa and Birgunj checkpoints, which are functioning normally and without issues.
Most dealers are bringing in only 1–2 units of the new vehicles for display at the auto shows. This is largely because, before the budget announcement, dealers had already imported approximately 5,500 EV units due to rumors that the government was increasing taxes. However, the budget ultimately maintained the existing EV tax rates.
As a result, over 4,000 of the vehicles imported before the budget are still in stock. This is why dealers are primarily importing only new brands and models rather than existing models.
