US to Restrict Import of Nepali Artifacts Without Export Permits

Nepal and the United States signed a landmark bilateral Cultural Property Agreement to safeguard Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and preventing the illicit trafficking of archaeological and ethnological artifacts.

This comes as repatriation efforts have accelerated in recent years through collaboration with the US and European countries following international law and legal processes to ensure the return and protect a range of Nepal’s artifacts.

Under this agreement, the United States, will now will restrict the importation into the United States of certain archaeological and ethnological material from Nepal unless accompanied by a valid export certificate issued by the Government of Nepal. 

US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R. Thompson and Secretary Dr. Suresh Surash Shrestha of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation signed a historic bilateral Cultural Property Agreement on Thursday.

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson said the pact reflects the United States’ deep respect for Nepal’s heritage and a shared responsibility to preserve it for future generations.

Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niroula of Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said the partnership highlights strong Nepal–US cooperation in preventing illicit cultural property trafficking.