Nepal lifts curb on Indian Rs 200, Rs 500 notes for travellers up to Rs 25,000

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Jul 26, 2026 11:20 IST

Nepal has allowed Indian and Nepalese nationals to carry Indian currency notes of Rs 200 and Rs 500 into and out of the country, ending a restriction that had effectively limited travellers to notes of up to Rs 100 after India’s 2016 demonetisation. The revised provision keeps the existing ceiling of Rs 25,000 per person.

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), in a notice reissued on Thursday, said Indian and Nepalese nationals may carry Indian currency notes of Rs 200 and Rs 500 denominations issued on or after November 9, 2016, in line with prevailing regulations. The central bank said the rules had already been notified through a notice published in the Nepal Gazette on February 11 after the required regulations were framed, and the latest notice was issued to reiterate the rules and clarify their implementation.

Clarifying the rules, NRB spokesperson Guru Prasad Paudel said on Saturday that Nepalese nationals cannot bring Indian currency into Nepal from any country other than India. Similarly, they cannot carry Indian currency from Nepal to a third country, except India. He said the revised provision would help Indian tourists visiting Nepal and Nepalese nationals involved in trade and business with India.

The notice also said Nepalese nationals and foreign visitors can bring up to USD 5,000, or its equivalent in other foreign currencies, into Nepal without making a customs declaration. Amounts above USD 5,000 must be declared to customs on arrival. Paudel said travellers may bring in Indian currency equivalent to up to USD 5,000, around Rs 4.83 lakh, without a customs declaration only if the denominations do not exceed Rs 100. He added that if the amount exceeds the USD 5,000 limit, a customs declaration is mandatory.

India demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, 2016, replacing them with redesigned Rs 500 notes and introducing new Rs 2,000 notes, which have since been withdrawn from circulation. After the demonetisation, Nepal barred the entry and use of Indian currency notes above Rs 100. Although the cap of Rs 25,000 on carrying Indian currency remained unchanged, travellers were in effect restricted to notes of Rs 100 and below.

Under the revised regulations, Indian and Nepalese nationals can now carry redesigned Rs 500 notes and Rs 200 notes issued after November 9, 2016, subject to the Rs 25,000 limit. Indian currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 issued before that date will remain prohibited in Nepal. The change is aimed at easing travel and cross-border transactions between India and Nepal.

With PTI Inputs

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