Nepal Telecommunications Authority set to fully implement MDMS

Nepal Telecommunications Authority was set to fully implement MDMS (Mobile Device Management System) in the country from Poush 1, 2079. But with growing criticism from the public (particularly migrant workers) and direct order from Nepal’s Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal himself, it was brought to a pause. However, after revising the rules in favor of migrant workers, NTA has finally implemented MDMS in Nepal has started from Jestha 1.

According to the “Personal Use Goods Order 2077”, you’re allowed to bring one mobile phone to Nepal for free. And you can register it into MDMS without declaring it in the customs office. Foreigners travelling to Nepal who plan to stay for more than 15 days will also be required to register their handsets.

But Nepali migrant workers who’ve taken labor permit and have been working abroad for at least 6 months can bring an additional mobile phone without paying any tax when returning to the country. And they can register their devices into MDMS after following proper protocols in the customs office.

To clarify, this exemption is only applicable to migrant workers and not anyone else. So if you’re coming back to Nepal from a vacation, as a student, or something else, you will have to pay 13% VAT and 5% excise duty on every additional smartphone you bring.

After the implementation of MDMS, illegally bought mobile phones will no longer be operable. Therefore, it will effectively end the sale of smartphones from illegal channels.

MDMS is a centralized government-owned system to keep a record of any and all phones and similar electronic accessories that enter the country—via their unique IMEI number(s). This includes smartphones, feature phones, bar phones, tablets, etc. So, any gadget with SIM, basically.