Nepal Trade Preferences Act

The Nepal Trade Preferences Act (H.R. 2659) was designed to support Nepal’s economic recovery following a devastating 2015 earthquake by granting duty-free access to the U.S. market for specific goods. Under this program, certain Nepali exports—including leather goods, textiles, and apparel—could enter the United States without import taxes, provided Nepal met specific standards regarding human rights, labor laws, and market-based economic policies. For American consumers and businesses, this bill aimed to lower the cost of imported Nepali products like suitcases, carpets, and clothing while encouraging international development through trade. Although the bill was introduced as a standalone measure, its provisions were ultimately enacted as part of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, with the trade benefits set to expire on December 31, 2025.