How to Send a Parcel Anywhere in Nepal: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

You have recently sold something on Facebook Marketplace. You have parents in Humla who require some medicines, and you’re in Kathmandu trying to figure out how you’re going to ship those medicines to them. Your customer in Pokhara ordered something from your Instagram store, and you have no idea how to go about this.

Shipping a parcel in Nepal should not seem difficult anymore for you. If you are someone who is sending a parcel for the first time or running a new business, this article will guide you through the whole process, starting from packaging your parcel to its successful delivery to the receiver’s address.

By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll know how to easily ship a parcel to any part of Nepal.

What Can You Send? Items Accepted and Restricted 

Before packing anything, it might be better if you have an idea on what the courier services in Nepal will accept and reject.

Commonly accepted items:

• Documents and letters

• Clothes, shoes, and accessories

• Electronics (phones, laptops, accessories)

• Packaged food and dry goods

• Medicine and health products

• Gifts and personal items

Items that are generally restricted: 

• Flammable liquids (petrol, paint thinner)

• Firearms, weapons, or ammunition

• Perishable items without proper cold packaging

• Currency or illegal substances

If you are unsure whether your item is accepted, contact your courier directly before booking. NCN Delivery's team can guide you at +977 9820103600 or via the website. 

Step-by-Step: How to Send a Parcel in Nepal 

Step 1: Prepare and Pack Your Item Properly

Proper packaging is by far the most important element when it comes to safe delivery. An improperly packed item is doomed to damage itself during shipping, no matter how carefully it is handled.

How to pack correctly: 

• Pack fragile items such as electronics or glassware separately, using bubble-wrap or heavy cotton fabric

• A strong cardboard box, rather than a flimsy one that can be crushed under its own weight, is preferred

• Fill any free space inside the box with crumpled newspaper or foam insulation material

• In case you ship clothes or soft items, wrapping them in plastic bags inside the cardboard box prevents dirt and dust accumulation

• Secure any opening and seam with adhesive tape

Make sure to label your address on the package properly, including your phone number. Write down the recipient's address as well. This is crucial because an improperly written address is the most common reason for late deliveries in Nepal.

Pro tip: For fragile items, label your package "FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH CARE" on both sides of the box.

Step 2: Weigh and Measure Your Parcel 

Courier charges in Nepal are calculated based on weight. You can calculate the weight of your parcel so that you can estimate the cost initially. The parcels, like documents and weight under 2 kg are charged on the basis of per packet.

Step 3: Choose Your Delivery Service

Delivery services aren’t equal. NCN Delivery provides various delivery modes based on urgency and destination.

Not sure which one to pick? See the difference between courier, cargo, freight, and parcel services explained; it will help you choose the right service type for your needs. 

Step 4: Book Your Pickup 

This is the part most people worry about, but it is the simplest one.

Option A: Book online

Visit ncndelivery.com and ask for an account or send a pickup request form. Provide the sender information, receiver information, parcel information, and preferred pick-up time.

Option B: Call or WhatsApp

Contact NCN Delivery through phone (+977 9820103600) or WhatsApp on Sun-Fri from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. One of the team members will take your details and arrange for a rider to pick up your items.

Option C: Walk in to a branch

There are many branches of NCN Delivery in Nepal. Find the nearest branch to you here. 

After the booking confirmation, a rider will pick up the parcel from your location. There is no need for you to move out.

Step 5: Hand Over Your Parcel and Get Your Tracking Number 

When the rider arrives, they will:

1. Verify the parcel details

2. Log the shipment into the system

3. Issue you an AWB number (Air Waybill number); this is your unique tracking ID

Keep this number safe. You can use it to track your parcel at every stage of the journey.

What is an AWB number? It stands for Air Waybill, but in a domestic courier context, it is simply your shipment reference code. Learn all the courier terms used in Nepal here, from AWB to RTO to manifest.

Step 6: Track Your Parcel in Real Time 

Once your package is collected, you can track your package at all times.

• Go to ncndelivery.com/tracking

• Type your AWB number 

• See real-time tracking: picked up, in transit, out for delivery, delivered

NCN Delivery will send you SMS and application notifications on important checkpoints in case you are worried about your package.

How Much Does It Cost to Send a Parcel in Nepal? 

Delivery charges vary depending on several factors:

• Weight of the parcel: heavier parcels cost more

• Distance: Kathmandu Valley delivery is cheaper than shipping to Humla or Taplejung

• Service type: Express delivery costs more than standard delivery

• Item type: fragile or special handling items may carry additional charges

There is no fixed price applicable across Nepal. Your location will influence the pricing of the service to your destination. The most effective way to secure your price is to consult NCN Delivery Services and make arrangements accordingly.

What you will not see from NCN: extra charges beyond your quoted price at the time of delivery.

What Is Cash on Delivery (COD) and Do You Need It?

If you are delivering your goods to the recipient through COD delivery as part of your sale transaction, you will have to opt for COD delivery.

Here's why and how:

1. Your customer makes the payment to the delivery rider in cash upon receiving their parcel

2. NCN Delivery makes the collection on your behalf

3. The payment amount is paid out to you once the settlement process is completed

COD delivery remains the most popular payment method among Nepalese eCommerce transactions, and there's a reason behind that many customers only like to pay once they get to inspect the purchased item in person.

Read our full guide on Cash on Delivery in Nepal; including when to use it, its risks, and how to manage returns. 

Sending to Remote Areas: What You Should Know 

Nepal is a country with varied landscapes; thus, the delivery service offered by the company does not follow flat terrain. Delivering a parcel in Kathmandu or Pokhara will be entirely different from delivering in Bajhang, Rolpa, or Solukhumbu.

For remote deliveries:

• Time of delivery will increase, normally taking 3-7 days according to the terrain and road connectivity to the location

• The address should be precise; the parcel should have the ward number, a nearby landmark, and contact information of the person receiving the parcel

• NCN drivers go the extra mile to deliver the parcel, whether via small roads or mountains, including seasonal impediments

With comprehensive nationwide service coverage, the recipient of your parcel is assured of being reached regardless of the remoteness of the destination.

Learn what really happens when your parcel travels from Kathmandu to a remote district: the roads, the challenges, and the people who make it happen.

Quick Checklist: Before You Hand Over Your Parcel

▭ Use this before every shipment:

▭ Item is wrapped and packed securely

▭ Box sealed on all edges with strong tape

▭ "FRAGILE" marked if applicable

▭ Recipient's full name, address, and phone number written clearly on the outside

▭ Your name and phone number included as sender

▭ Weight and dimensions noted (for your own records)

▭ Delivery service type confirmed (same-day / standard / cargo)

▭ COD amount noted if applicable

▭ AWB number received and saved after pickup

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I send a parcel without a box in Nepal?

Yes, for soft goods such as garments, one could sometimes send them through the mail enclosed in a plastic bag properly sealed. For electronic gadgets and fragile goods or other parcels that need to maintain their structure and shape, a cardboard box is highly recommended.

How long does delivery take from Kathmandu to Pokhara or remote areas? 

A regular shipment between Kathmandu-Pokhara may be delivered within 1-2 days. A shipment sent to remote hill/mountain districts may take 3-7 days depending on the road conditions and weather.

Is there a minimum weight or size requirement? 

No, NCN Delivery will transport all sizes of shipments from documents to cargo. There is no minimum size restriction. 

Can I track my parcel in real time?

Yes. After the parcel has been picked up, an AWB number will be generated. Tracking can then be done through ncndelivery.com/tracking. SMS and app alerts will be given after each major point.

What happens if the recipient is not home during delivery?

The rider will attempt to contact the recipient by phone. If they cannot be reached, a re-delivery attempt will be made. In some cases, the parcel may be held at a nearby branch for collection. Always ensure the recipient's phone number is correct and active.

Ready to Send Your Parcel?

Sending a parcel anywhere in Nepal is simpler than most people think. Just pack the parcel well, schedule a free pickup, receive your tracking number, and let us do all the hard work for you.

Whether it is a same-day delivery across Kathmandu or a parcel bound for a remote district, NCN Delivery's nationwide network has you covered door to door, with real-time tracking and free pickup.