E-Commerce Act 2081 Nepal: Rules Every Online Seller Must Follow

E-Commerce Act 2081 explained

If you sell anything online in Nepal — on your own website, through Daraz, or from a Facebook or Instagram page — the Electronic Commerce Act, 2081 (2025) applies to you. It received assent on 16 March 2025 (2081.12.03) and came into force 31 days later, in mid-April 2025.

This guide explains the Act in plain language, section by section, so you know exactly what to do. Every point below comes from the official English text published by the Nepal Law Commission.

Quick check: use our free E-Commerce Act Checker to score your shop, get a to-do list and generate the business information block the Act requires.

Who does the Act apply to?

The Act applies throughout Nepal, and also to anyone outside Nepal who sells goods or services to people in Nepal through e-commerce (Section 1).

"E-commerce" means buying or selling goods or services through an electronic platform: a website, app, software, or a social media marketplace (Section 2). Simply advertising or giving information about a product online is not e-commerce by itself — selling is.

The Act names two kinds of business:

• List-based e-commerce business — you list and sell your own goods or services directly to buyers (most online shops).

• Intermediary business — you run a marketplace where other sellers sell (like Daraz).

Rule 1: Only registered businesses may sell online

Section 3 says only a firm, company or institution registered and authorised to trade under Nepal's laws may do e-commerce. If you are selling as an individual without a registered business, register a sole proprietorship or partnership firm, or a company, first. You will also need a PAN (or VAT registration), because it must be shown on your store.

Rule 2: Have a platform — or use another one if you are small

Every e-commerce business must set up an electronic platform (Section 4). But the Act adds that micro and small entrepreneurs may still sell through other platforms — for example social media pages or marketplaces — instead of building their own website.

Rule 3: Get listed on the Department's e-commerce portal

After setting up your platform, apply online to be listed on the e-commerce portal of the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (Section 5). The application needs:

1. Business name, address, registering authority and registration certificate number

2. Name and identity details of the proprietor, partners or directors

3. A clear description of your business

4. PAN or VAT number

5. Phone, email, social media link and contact address

6. Number and location of branches, if any

The Department must send your listing number within 7 days. If you open or close a branch later, update the portal within 7 days. Businesses already selling online when the Act started had three months to apply. The Department published an urgent notice on mandatory listing on 2 Bhadra 2083, so if you are not listed yet, do it now.

Rule 4: Show your business information on your store

Section 4(2) lists what your platform must display, clearly and in an easy-to-find place:

• Name of the platform

• Business name, address, registering authority and registration number

• Registered office, head office and any branches

• Details of any special licence your business needs

• Whether you are a list-based or intermediary business

• PAN or VAT number

• Contacts: email, phone, mobile, social media link, and customer service contacts

• Contact details of the person or unit that handles complaints

• Your e-commerce listing number

If anything changes, update it within 48 hours (Section 4(3)). Our store disclosure generator builds this block for you, ready to paste into your website footer or Facebook "About" section.

Rule 5: Every product page needs 16 details

Section 6 requires each product or service listing to show:

1. Name, nature, design, trademark, image, weight or material

2. Final selling price including tax

3. Any extra delivery charges

4. Precautions for use

5. Delivery date and time

6. Payment methods

7. Warranty or guarantee — duration and conditions

8. Who makes the product or provides the service

9. Country of origin for imported goods

10. Conditions to follow after purchase

11. Whether it can be returned, and the return conditions and time

12. For services, where and under what conditions it is provided

13. Whether an order can be cancelled before dispatch

14. Manufacture date, expiry date and other conditions

15. Key contract terms in plain language

16. A way to leave reviews, ratings and complaints

Missing product details is a fineable offence.

Rule 6: Invoices, payment and cash on delivery

Buyers may pay before, during or after delivery, and payment to your delivery partner counts as payment to you — so cash on delivery is allowed (Section 8). Give the buyer an invoice and payment receipt immediately and keep a record.

Rule 7: Deliver on time

Deliver to the agreed place, on the agreed date or within the agreed period (Section 9). If both sides agree before dispatch, the place or time can change, and any cost difference is settled by mutual agreement. Late delivery gives the buyer the right to return the goods and get a refund.

Rule 8: Returns and refunds

If what arrives does not match the description on your store, the buyer can return it unused and undamaged, and you must accept it unconditionally (Section 10). The buyer may choose an exchange of equal value; if they refuse, you must refund the full amount including tax. You must also accept returns and refund when goods are defective or delivered late (Sections 15 and 16).

Rule 9: Answer complaints within 15 days

Every e-commerce business needs a person or unit for complaints and an online complaint system (Section 33). When a complaint arrives:

• Register it and confirm it to the buyer immediately

• Investigate and decide within 15 days

• Reply in writing — with reasons if you cannot resolve it

Rule 10: Protect customer data

Keep every customer's personal information confidential and use it only as the law allows (Section 12). Sharing details needed to complete an order between the buyer, seller and delivery company is allowed. Users must be able to access, edit and deactivate their personal information.

Things you must never do

• Post fake reviews or ratings, or ask others to pretend to be customers

• Advertise products in a misleading way

• Sell products that need a licence (for example medicines) without that licence

• Use any unfair trade practice

Fines and penalties

Anyone can complain to the Department about a violation, even anonymously (Section 28).

Your 10-step checklist

1. Register your business (firm or company) and get a PAN

2. Decide your platform: your own website, or a marketplace or social media page if you are small

3. Apply for listing on the Department's e-commerce portal

4. Add the business information block to your store

5. Add all 16 details to every product page

6. Show final prices including tax

7. Send an invoice and receipt for every payment

8. Publish a clear return, refund and cancellation policy

9. Set up a complaint contact and reply within 15 days

10. Publish a privacy policy and keep customer data safe

Check where you stand in two minutes with the free E-Commerce Act Checker.

Sources

• Electronic Commerce Act, 2081 — Nepal Law Commission

• Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection

• Urgent notice regarding mandatory listing (2 Bhadra 2083)

This article explains the law in plain language and is not legal advice. For your specific situation, contact the Department or a lawyer.