Nepal imported cosmetics and personal care products worth Rs 13.4 billion in the fiscal year 2082/83, with imports increasing by around Rs 2 billion compared to the previous year.

According to the Customs Department, Nepal imported cosmetic products worth Rs 13.4 billion up to mid-Ashar of the fiscal year 2082/83. In the previous fiscal year, 2081/82, imports stood at Rs 11.25 billion.

The imported products include a wide range of beauty and personal care items such as perfume, lipstick, face cream, body lotion, shampoo, hair colour, makeup products and other cosmetics.

Among these, other makeup materials accounted for the largest share, with imports worth around Rs 4.98 billion. These products were imported from countries including Lebanon, Pakistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Germany and India.

Face creams were another major category, with Nepal spending around Rs 1.96 billion on their imports during the period.

Similarly, lipstick imports amounted to around Rs 794.73 million, while powder imports were worth Rs 284.44 million. Imports of eye makeup products reached around Rs 297.99 million.

Nepal also spent around Rs 827.74 million on body lotions, while imports of skin creams and petroleum gels amounted to around Rs 77.74 million. Manicure and pedicure products accounted for around Rs 57.79 million, while nail polish imports stood at around Rs 66.55 million.

Hair-related products also make up a significant portion of Nepal's cosmetic imports. The country spent around Rs 1.26 billion on shampoos during the period.

Imports of hair oil amounted to around Rs 70.65 million, while hair creams accounted for around Rs 49.78 million. Hair conditioners worth around Rs 66.45 million were also imported. Hair straighteners and hair colour products accounted for additional imports.

The rising import bill reflects growing demand for beauty and personal care products in Nepal. Traders say cosmetic products are increasingly being used not only by individual consumers but also by beauty parlours and salons.