Cosmetic imports rise as demand grows in Nepal

Nepal's appetite for beauty and personal care products has surged, with imports climbing to Rs13.004 billion in the last fiscal year, an increase of about Rs2 billion from the previous period. Consumers are spending more on a wide array of items, from perfumes and lipsticks to face creams and shampoos.

The data from the Department of Customs reveals that "other makeup preparations" constituted the largest share of import value, amounting to Rs4.98 billion. Other significant categories include face creams (Rs1.96 billion) and shampoo (Rs1.27 billion). These products are arriving from diverse origins, including Lebanon, Pakistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Germany, and India.

Traders attribute this growing demand, which also extends to beauty parlors and salons, in large part to the pervasive influence of social media. Platforms like TikTok and Facebook are acting as powerful catalysts, exposing consumers to new products and trends. "Whatever goes viral sells more," noted Suraj Shrestha, a cosmetics wholesaler in Kathmandu, explaining how online content directly fuels import figures. The limited availability of locally manufactured cosmetics further bolsters the market for imported brands.

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People are looking for cosmetic products after watching videos and promotions on TikTok and Facebook. Whatever goes viral sells more. That has also contributed to the rise in demand and imports.