Government Extends Ban On Import Of Private Vehicles & Motorcycles; 2-Wheelers Above 150cc Added To The List

The government has extended the ban on the import of private vehicles and motorcycles until August-end 2022. In a rather severe move, the government has now added two-wheelers above 150cc to the list. However, the import of two-wheelers between 150cc to 250cc is allowed, provided the Letter of Credit (LC) was issued before July 17, 2022. Also, the ban won't apply to CKD (Completely Knocked Down) units.NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal (NADA), the governing body of automobile dealers in Nepal, had continuously requested the government to ease the ban on the import of private vehicles and motorcycles. In this context, Industry, Commerce and Supplies Minister Dilendra Prasad Badu had assured that the import ban would be lifted from mid-July. However, the import ban has now been extended citing the depleting foreign exchange reserves.Although automobile entrepreneurs in the country were quite hopeful about the ban being lifted before the upcoming NADA Auto Show, this decision represents another heavy blow to the already crisis-hit auto industry. The 15th edition of the NADA Auto Expo is scheduled to take place between August 23- 28, 2022. The upcoming NADA Auto Show plans to showcase four-wheelers, two-wheelers, garage and auto components, commercial vehicles, and electric two-wheelers.