Payment gateways, logistics, and customer trust — the practical realities of e-commerce in Nepal.
E-commerce in Nepal is growing fast. eSewa processed over NPR 500 billion in transactions in its last fiscal year. Daraz, Sastodeal, and hundreds of independent online stores are proving that Nepali consumers are willing and eager to buy online. But launching a store requires navigating some Nepal-specific realities.
Payment Gateways
The two dominant options are eSewa and Khalti. Both offer APIs that developers can integrate into custom websites. eSewa has broader adoption among older demographics; Khalti is popular with younger, urban users. For maximum coverage, integrate both.
If you plan to accept international payments, Stripe is available in Nepal as of 2023 with some restrictions. Verify your use case before building on it.
ConnectIPS is ideal for B2B transactions and larger purchases where bank transfers are preferred.
Logistics and Delivery
This is the most challenging part of Nepali e-commerce. Within the Kathmandu Valley, same-day and next-day delivery is achievable through services like FedEx Nepal, Bhoos, and local courier networks. Outside the Valley, delivery windows stretch to 3–7 days, and some remote areas rely on highway carriers.
Set clear expectations on your website — delivery timelines and costs should be visible before checkout. Surprise delivery charges are the top reason for cart abandonment in Nepal.
Building Customer Trust
Trust is the biggest barrier to conversion for new e-commerce stores. Tactics that help: show real photos of your products (avoid stock imagery), display a local phone number, add a WhatsApp chat button, show customer reviews, and make your return policy prominent and simple.
A COD (Cash on Delivery) option still converts better than card-only checkout for many product categories in Nepal, despite its operational overhead.
What Platform to Build On
For businesses selling fewer than 500 products, a custom Next.js store with a headless CMS is our recommended approach — it is faster, more SEO-friendly, and fully customisable. For larger catalogues with complex inventory needs, Shopify's Nepal support has improved significantly.
The Nepali e-commerce opportunity is real, but success requires getting the fundamentals right — fast site, trusted payments, clear logistics, and genuine social proof.