From Thursday, 77 categories of Nepali goods exported to the United States will be subject to tariffs of up to 26 percent following the expiry of a duty-free trade facility. The preferential access, granted by the US in 2015 after Nepal’s earthquake, ended yesterday (Thursday). The Export Council of Nepal said products such as pashmina shawls, mufflers, and hats will now face duties 6 to 16 percent higher than the standard 10 percent rate. Despite Nepal’s request for a five-year extension, the facility was not renewed, potentially weakening Nepal’s competitiveness compared to exporters from India and Bangladesh.
