Nepal: Import-Oriented Single Window System Launched

The Nepal National Single Window (NNSW), a one-stop shop for stakeholders to digitally access various trade-related services from 42 government and private agencies, has now gone live. Among the services on offer from the new system are obtaining the licenses, permits and certificate required for various trading activities, making payments, the electronic submission of documents and access to relevant trading information. The system is also said to eliminate the need for traders to visit separate offices to comply with various import and export procedures. 

Overall, it is hoped that the NNSW will help reduce trade-related costs by up to 20%, while significantly saving time and boosting transparency. It is also intended to help reduce ‘leakage’ with regards to trade-related government revenue collection. Historically, import processing time has taken up to about 28 days, with importers having to pay an average of US$1,320 per consignment.