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The twenty imports Nepal is best placed to replace.

Nepal imported USD 7.0bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 909m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.2bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
52products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
453products Nepal already exports well
133product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Nepal already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Nepal would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Nepal does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight less than 0.25% of...HS 720719

    Comes fromIndia 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or... (exports USD 43m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 88m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); India supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 88mdown 69% on 2022
  2. 2

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of...HS 721391

    Comes fromIndia 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or... (exports USD 43m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 66m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); India supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 66mdown 23% on 2022
  3. 3

    Ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar formsHS 720310

    Comes fromIndia 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or... (exports USD 43m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 309m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); India supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 309mup 19% on 2022
  4. 4

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromIndia 95%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: (not containing antibiotics, hormones, alkaloids or... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 23m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 165m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); India supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 165mdown 9% on 2022
  5. 5

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230400

    Comes fromIndia 89%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding (exports USD 24m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 103m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); India supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 103mdown 14% on 2022
  6. 6

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate)HS 310530

    Comes fromChina 50%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 67m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); China supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 67mdown 46% on 2022
  7. 7

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromSingapore 41%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 55m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Singapore supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 55mdown 34% on 2022
  8. 8

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460

    Comes fromIndia 83%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical transformers: liquid dielectric, having a power handling... (exports USD 862k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); India supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 38mup 18% on 2022
  9. 9

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromIndia 80%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding (exports USD 24m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 471k
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); India supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 35mup 1% on 2022
  10. 10

    Glass: carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials and other containers of glass, (not ampoules), used for the...HS 701090

    Comes fromIndia 94%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass: cullet and other waste and scrap of glass, excluding glass... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); India supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 27mdown 21% on 2022
  11. 11

    Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 611030

    Comes fromChina 98%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 454k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 40 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); China supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 20mup 467% on 2022
  12. 12

    Ensembles: women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610422

    Comes fromChina 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 41 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 20mfrom USD 10k in 2022
  13. 13

    Brassieres: whether or not knitted or crochetedHS 621210

    Comes fromChina 98%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthShawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like: of wool or... (exports USD 24m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 47k
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 50 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); China supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 17mup 397% on 2022
  14. 14

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromBrunei 41%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 49m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Brunei supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 49mdown 48% on 2022
  15. 15

    Fibres: synthetic staple fibres, of polyesters, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinningHS 550320

    Comes fromIndia 94%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthYarn: (not sewing thread), single, of synthetic staple fibres... (exports USD 34m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); India supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 44mdown 15% on 2022
  16. 16

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyedHS 600632

    Comes fromChina 94%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of heading... (exports USD 5k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 40m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); China supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 40mup 7% on 2022
  17. 17

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromIndia 78%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOral or dental hygiene preparations: dentifrices (exports USD 6m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 92k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 36m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); India supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 36mup 8% on 2022
  18. 18

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromIndia 77%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSteel, stainless: table, kitchen and other household articles and... (exports USD 8m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 80k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 17m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 29 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); India supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 25mup 24% on 2022
  19. 19

    Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or strippedHS 240120

    Comes fromIndia 100%, 1 source country
    Nearest export strengthTobacco: other than homogenised or reconstituted or smoking (exports USD 295k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 330k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); India supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 24mdown 6% on 2022
  20. 20

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610910

    Comes fromChina 91%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 10m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 68 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Nepal's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); China supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 13mdown 6% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Nepal already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Turbines: parts of hydraulic turbines and water wheels, including regulators imports USD 38m, exports USD 339k, top source India 49%
  • Electrical transformers: liquid dielectric, having a power handling capacity... imports USD 34m, exports USD 862k, top source India 67%
  • Fabrics, woven: of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight... imports USD 31m, exports USD 1m, top source China 91%
  • Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle)... imports USD 27m, exports USD 4m, top source China 92%
  • Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and... imports USD 23m, exports USD 5m, top source India 70%
  • Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: men's or boys', of... imports USD 18m, exports USD 2m, top source China 95%
  • Jute and other textile bast fibres: raw or retted, but not spun, (excluding... imports USD 14m, exports USD 64k, top source India 100%
  • Paper pulp, paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres... imports USD 14m, exports USD 803k, top source India 95%
  • Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of... imports USD 15m, exports USD 3m, top source China 99%
  • Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: n.e.c. in item no. 8429.50 imports USD 11m, exports USD 975k, top source India 98%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 133 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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