Nepali handicrafts hold real meaning for the people who receive them. Pashmina shawls, singing bowls, wood carvings, and thangka paintings are some of the most common items sent abroad from Nepal, whether as gifts or for personal collections. Shipping them safely takes a bit of planning. This guide covers what counts as a handicraft, the one rule you cannot skip, how to pack each item, and what happens once the package reaches customs on the other end.
Nepal produces a wide range of handmade goods that people ship abroad regularly:
Pashmina and cashmere shawls
Thangka and paubha paintings
Tibetan singing bowls
Wood carvings
Metal and silver-plated statues
Hand-knotted carpets
Khukuri knives
Lokta paper products
Most of these ship without issue as long as they are new and properly packed. The one exception is anything that looks old or valuable, which brings us to the rule below.
Nepal's Ancient Monument Preservation Act bans the export of anything more than 100 years old. This covers statues, thangkas, wood carvings, and paintings that carry cultural or religious value.
If your item is newly made, you generally do not need any special certificate. But customs officers cannot always tell a new piece from an old one just by looking at it. If your statue, thangka, or carving looks aged, or if it was sold to you as antique, you need a non-antique certificate from the Department of Archaeology at Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, before you ship it.
To avoid delays:
Keep your purchase receipt from the shop
Ask the seller for a written note confirming the item is new
If you are not sure, get the certificate before shipping, not after
For the full list of restricted and prohibited items for shipping from Nepal, see our prohibited items guide.
Different handicrafts need different packing methods. Here is what works for each:
Fold flat and place in a moisture-proof poly bag before boxing. This keeps the fabric clean and dry during transit.
Use a rigid flat mailer or a tube. Wrap the piece in acid-free tissue first, and add corner protectors if it is framed.
Wrap fully in bubble wrap, then place in a rigid box with extra padding around the edges. Fill any empty space so the item cannot shift.
Declare the correct weight, since these items are often heavier than they look. Add cushioning around any protruding parts like arms or crowns, which are the most likely to break.
Use the double box method. Wrap the item in soft padding, place it in a snug inner box, then put that box inside a large box filled with packing material on all sides.
Wrap it with soft clothes and keep the striker separate so that it does not hit the bowl during transit.
Customs rules on the receiving end have changed recently, and it helps to know this before you ship.
The United States suspended its duty-free allowance for low-value shipments in 2025, and that suspension is still in effect through 2026. This means every shipment to the US now goes through duty assessment, no matter how small the value. The old assumption that a small gift ships in duty-free no longer applies.
The European Union made a similar change on July 1, 2026, ending its exemption for parcels valued under 150 euros. Low-value parcels into the EU now carry a flat duty per item.
A few things help avoid delays and surprise charges:
Declare the item accurately, for example "handicraft, new" rather than leaving it vague
Never undervalue the item to try to reduce duty. This can lead to the package being held or seized
Rules vary by country and change often, so check with us before shipping if you are unsure
Nepali handicrafts and pashmina ship most often to the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, where large Nepali communities live. If you are shipping to one of these countries, check our route-specific guides for delivery times and documentation:
No. Nepal law bans exporting anything over 100 years old. If a piece looks old or valuable, get a non-antique certificate from the Department of Archaeology before shipping it.
Only if the item could pass as antique, such as an old-looking statue, thangka or wood carving. Newly made items bought from a shop usually do not need one, but keep your proof of purchase just in case.
Yes. The US suspended its duty-free allowance for low-value shipments in 2025, and this is still in effect. Every shipment now goes through duty assessment, regardless of its value.
This depends on the destination and the service you choose. Contact us on WhatsApp for a delivery estimate to your country.
Use the double box method. Wrap the item in soft padding, place it in a snug inner box, then put that box inside a larger box filled with cushioning material.
Ready to send handicrafts or pashmina abroad? Contact Namaste Cargo Nepal on WhatsApp for packing help and a shipping estimate.
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