Nepal announces that prescription glasses to be exempt from VAT and Customs from 2026

In a significant step, Nepal’s Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, announced that starting next year, prescription eyeglasses will be exempt from VAT and customs duties in Nepal. 

This announcement was made during the inauguration of the central assembly of the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, in Kathmandu. 

During his address, the Minister emphasised the government’s commitment to improving accessibility to essential eye treatment equipment. He reiterated the government’s readiness to implement necessary policy reforms to improve eye treatment. 

As per the announcement, the materials purchased for therapeutic purposes already benefit from customs duty exemptions however similar provisions will soon apply to eyeglasses used in treatment, easing the financial burden on healthcare providers and patients. 

Welcoming the announcement Peter Holland, Chief Executive of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) said “A simple pair of glasses can be a lifeline out of poverty. By exempting them from taxation, Nepal is making vision correction more accessible, leading to better education, increased earnings, and a more productive workforce. We applaud this move and urge other nations to follow Nepal’s lead.”  

Nepal’s commitment to accessible eye health sets a powerful precedent as IAPB prepares for the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health in 2026. This progressive step fuels hope that the Summit will inspire many more nations to prioritize vision for all, ensuring that glasses and essential eye care reach those in need. 

“This announcement by the Health Minister takes into account that reducing the cost of importing glasses and its components especially in a low-income country like ours, can impact its uptake. Nepal one of the first countries to ensure glasses become affordable for everyone. We at NNJS couldn’t be happier, as it supports all the work, we and IAPB have been doing to reduce vision impairment and make eye health available, accessible and more importantly affordable,” said Sailesh Kumar Mishra, Executive Director of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh. 

Nepal has been at the forefront promoting eye care for all, collecting critical data through RAABs, with its support at the World Health Assembly, reporting on eye health in Voluntary National Reviews and much more. It is also the host for IAPBs global 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE event from 29 April – 1 May this year. 

Image credit: correction with the pair glasses brought back the happiness of family. See how the family is cheering with his son’s improved vision./Ranjan Shah/NNJS