Nepal Allows Indians to Carry Up to Rs 25,000 in Post 2016 Indian Currency Notes

Nepal has formally eased long standing restrictions on Indian currency, allowing both Indian and Nepali citizens to carry Indian ₹200 and redesigned ₹500 notes issued after November 9, 2016, into and out of Nepal, up to a limit of ₹25,000 per person. The move, announced by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), is expected to make travel, tourism and cross border trade between the two neighbouring countries significantly easier.

The central bank clarified that Indian currency notes of the old ₹500 and ₹1,000 series issued before November 9, 2016, remain prohibited in Nepal. Although the revised rules were first notified through the Nepal Gazette on February 11 after the required regulations were framed, the NRB reissued the notice this week to clarify implementation and remove confusion among travellers.

NRB spokesperson Guru Prasad Paudel said Nepali citizens may bring Indian currency into Nepal only from India and cannot carry it from Nepal to any third country. Likewise, Indian currency cannot be transported from Nepal to another country except India. Officials said the revised rules are aimed at facilitating Indian tourists and Nepali traders and businesspersons with legitimate cross border transactions.

The decision effectively ends the practical restriction imposed after India's 2016 demonetisation, when travellers were largely limited to carrying Indian notes of ₹100 or lower despite the ₹25,000 overall cap. The latest relaxation restores the usability of widely circulated ₹200 and ₹500 notes while retaining the existing value limit.

The NRB also reiterated that travellers may bring up to USD 5,000, or its equivalent in other foreign currencies, into Nepal without filing a customs declaration, while larger amounts must be declared upon arrival. India remains Nepal's largest trading partner and a major source of tourists, with the two countries sharing an open border and deep economic and people to people ties.