Domestic flights resume at TIA as weather improves
Domestic flights at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), which had been suspended due to incessant rainfall and subsequent adverse weather on October 4, have resumed with an improvement in weather since this morning.
TIA General Manager Hansaraj Pandey said that the flights have resumed since this morning.
Nepal imposes $5,000 entry, $1,500 cash rule
The Ministry of Finance has announced that Nepali and foreign nationals entering Nepal can bring up to $5,000 without customs declaration. Any amount exceeding this limit must be declared at customs.
The ministry further stated that individuals are allowed to keep a maximum of $1,500, or its equivalent in convertible foreign currency, in cash. “Nepali or foreign nationals can bring up to $5,000, the equivalent in Indian rupees, or other foreign currencies not published by Nepal Rastra Bank, without customs declaration. Amounts above this threshold must be declared and certified,” the ministry said in a notice.
It added that Nepali citizens are permitted to retain up to $1,500, or equivalent, in cash from their foreign earnings, remittances, or unspent travel exchange facilities for future use.
The ministry clarified that legally earned and declared funds face no restrictions on storage or use. However, undeclared cash found in possession will be investigated and prosecuted under prevailing laws, including the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2008.
According to the ministry, reports emerged via media and social networks that cash had been found burned or destroyed during the protests on Sept 8–9.
The ministry reiterated that, in line with government policy, all transactions for goods, services, and other business dealings must be conducted through financial institutions or banking instruments. Any transaction worth Rs 1m or more must be carried out via banking channels, it said.
IMF approves Extended Credit Facility for Nepal
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Nepal.
The IMF Executive Board endorsed the sixth review of Nepal’s ECF program, granting approval for continued support under the facility.
According to Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, Nepal successfully completed the sixth review of the IMF’s ECF arrangement.
Sharing the update on Facebook on Thursday morning, Minister Khanal confirmed that the IMF Board meeting had endorsed Nepal’s sixth ECF review.
With this approval, Nepal has opened the door to receive additional financial assistance under the ECF program.
Korala Customs collects record revenue
The Nepal–China border customs office at Nhechung, Korala, Mustang, has collected revenue worth Rs 2.02bn in just two weeks. The office, which came into full operation on Sept 16, recorded the highest-ever revenue collection in its history by Tuesday morning.
On average, the office collected more than Rs 136.6m daily, a dramatic rise compared to previous years when revenue was limited to just Rs 1–1.5m annually from household imports by Upper Mustang residents. The surge is largely attributed to the disruption of trade at the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani checkpoints due to landslides and river erosion, which shifted imports, including a large number of electric vehicles, through Korala.
According to customs chief Ramesh Khadka, out of 1,109 electric vehicles imported via Korala, 965 have already cleared customs, while 144 are still undergoing the process. Similarly, all 375 container trucks importing goods have completed customs clearance and moved toward their destinations.
The customs office staff have left for Dashain holidays, and regular operations are expected to resume from Oct 7, said customs officer Uttam Rai.
With the full operation of the Korala border, business activities in Mustang have significantly increased. Lomanthang Rural Municipality Chairperson Tasi Nurbur Gurung said local trade has improved, and residents are earning well. Many youths are engaged in loading and unloading goods and driving imported electric vehicles across the border, creating new income opportunities.


