Nepal's international trade for the fiscal year 2079/80 (July 22, 2022 - July 22, 2023) has revealed intriguing trends in its imports and exports. According to statistics released by the Customs Department, petroleum products emerged as the most imported item, with a significant expenditure on diesel, petrol, and cooking gas. Meanwhile, Nepal's top export product was carpets, followed by refined palm oil and soybean oil. Additionally, gold played a vital role in the country's economy, with thousands of kilos being legally imported during the same period. Let's delve into the details of Nepal's top 10 imports and exports during this fiscal year. Top 10 Imports: Petroleum Products - Worth NPR 3 trillion 53 billion were imported, with diesel, petrol, and cooking gas as the primary components.
Gold - The second-largest import at NPR 43.89 billion, contributing substantially to Nepal's trade.
Sponge Iron - Nepal's steel industry imported 779.7 million kg of sponge iron for rod production, valued at NPR 43 billion 60 million.
Soybean Oil - Nepal spent NPR 35.58 billion on importing 17.75 million liters of soybean oil.
Coal - More than 1.8 billion kilograms of coal were imported, with expenses amounting to NPR 27.12 billion.
Crude Palm Oil - Nepal spent NPR 25 billion 91 million on importing over 169 million liters of crude palm oil.
Medicine - Nepal imported over 1.6 million kg of medicines, costing NPR 24 billion 66 million.
Smartphones - The country spent NPR 24 billion 39 million on importing 1.56 million smartphones.
Urea Fertilizer - Nepal imported 25.22 million kilograms of urea fertilizer, amounting to NPR 22.94 billion.
Iron Rods - 2.52 billion kilograms of iron rods were imported, with expenses reaching NPR 22.94 billion to support steel production.

Top 10 Exports: Carpets - The major export, earning Nepal NPR 11.5 billion from the sale of 492,335 square meters of carpets.
Refined Palm Oil - Nepal earned NPR 10.71 billion from exporting over 56.1 million liters of refined palm oil.
Soybean Oil - The country made NPR 8.47 billion from the export of more than 3.12 million kilograms of soybean oil.
Cardamom - Exports of cardamom contributed NPR 8.27 billion to Nepal's economy.
Palm Oil - Nepal exported palm oil worth NPR 6.56 billion during this period.
Felt - The export of carpets and felt brought in NPR 4.85 billion in revenue.
Fruit Juice - Nepal exported over 58.9 million liters of fruit juice, generating revenue of more than NPR 4.07 billion.
Woolen Yarn - Exports of woolen yarn earned Nepal NPR 4.35 billion.
Zinc Plate and Rolled Iron - The export of zinc plate and rolled iron contributed NPR 4.2 billion to the economy.
Polyester Yarn - Nepal exported polyester yarn worth NPR 3.87 billion during the fiscal year.
Gold Import: During the same period, Nepal legally imported 3.5 thousand kilograms of gold, valued at NPR 43.89 billion. The government collected approximately NPR 3.12 billion in revenue from this import. The quota given by the government allowed banks to import gold worth NPR 22.35 billion, while Nepalese returning from foreign employment and trips brought in gold worth NPR 21.54 billion after paying customs duty. Presently, banks are allowed to import 15 kilograms of gold per day, contributing significantly to the country's economic activities.

Nepal's international trade during the fiscal year 2079/80 showcased the dominance of petroleum products in imports and carpets in exports. The substantial gold imports and the associated revenues also played a crucial role in shaping the country's trade landscape. As Nepal continues to engage in international trade, these statistics provide valuable insights for policymakers and businesses to strategize and enhance the nation's economic growth and stability.