Unlimited Carry of Indian Currency Below INR 100 Allowed Between Nepal and India
It has been officially announced that Nepali and Indian nationals are now permitted to carry an unlimited quantity of Indian currency notes and coins of denominations below INR 100 between Nepal and India. The provision has been formalized through a notice published in the Nepal Gazette by the Government of Nepal.
According to the gazette notification, not only smaller denominations but also INR 200 and INR 500 notes may be brought into and taken out of Nepal, provided they remain within the prescribed limits. This decision was taken after India allowed Nepali citizens to carry higher-denomination Indian currency notes up to a certain ceiling, prompting Nepal to reciprocate with a similar arrangement.
It has been clarified that Indian currency notes of INR 500 and INR 1,000 issued before November 9, 2016, are strictly prohibited from circulation or transaction. However, INR 200 and INR 500 notes issued after November 9, 2016, may be carried by Nepali or Indian citizens up to a maximum limit of INR 25,000 per person, either from India to Nepal or from Nepal to India.
As per the gazette, Nepali and Indian nationals are allowed to carry or remit unlimited quantities of Nepali and Indian coins and currency notes, except for Nepali coins made of gold, silver, or mixed silver. Nevertheless, separate restrictions apply to Indian currency notes above INR 100 and Nepali currency, which must comply with limits prescribed by Nepal Rastra Bank.
In the case of Nepali currency, amounts exceeding the limit set by Nepal Rastra Bank are not allowed to be carried, while Indian currency cannot be taken or sent to any country other than India. Furthermore, foreign currency obtained legally through licensed foreign exchange dealers is not permitted to be carried or remitted out of Nepal.
For foreign nationals, if foreign currency exceeding the limit set by Nepal Rastra Bank is required to be carried or sent abroad, such currency must have been declared and certified before a customs officer at the time of entry into Nepal.
The government has warned that any violation of the gazette notification will result in the seizure of foreign currency, along with legal action in accordance with prevailing laws. The measures have been introduced to regulate cross-border currency movement while facilitating legitimate travel and trade between Nepal and India.
