The Ministry of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection can now enforce ICT minimum standards on online business platforms under the E-commerce Guidelines, 2026, which came into effect this week, strengthening the state’s role in protecting consumers, the economy and digital institutions.

The guidelines have been enacted pursuant to the E-commerce Act, 2025, which came into force in April last year. Under the new provisions, all online business platforms must be audited and certified by the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection based on prescribed standards.

The law applies to all forms of online sales, including transactions conducted through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp.

It also extends to foreign e-commerce platforms. Any international company selling goods to Nepali consumers must establish a local office or appoint an authorised local representative for complaint handling and regulatory compliance.

Foreign-registered platforms operating in Nepal are required to comply with prevailing laws related to commerce, company and firm registration, transportation, taxation, consumer protection, data privacy and other applicable regulations.

Narahari Tiwari, director at the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection, said the implementation of the e-commerce law and the guidelines will bring online platforms under formal government supervision, helping to reduce consumer fraud and cheating.

“Once the guideline is fully implemented, the department will issue a public notice calling on online business platforms to get listed,” he said.

Nepal’s e-commerce market has expanded rapidly in recent years, with transactions estimated to be worth billions of rupees. Much of the growth has been driven by informal sellers operating through social media, many of whom remain unregistered and outside the tax net and consumer protection framework.

In July last year, the department had issued a public notice urging all digital sellers to register by July 18.

Under the drafted guidelines, every e-commerce operator must mandatorily list its firm on the department’s online portal. The Commerce Department is required to issue listing approval within seven days of receiving a complete application. Any changes in firm details or operation through new outlets must be updated within seven days.

Applicants must submit company registration and renewal certificates, electronic tax invoice certification if applicable, proof of domain ownership for private platforms or hosting agreements for third-party platforms, along with privacy and return policies. A system audit report in line with cybersecurity standards is also mandatory.

E-commerce companies operating without listings will be given 35 days to comply after the guideline’s implementation. If an unlisted platform is found operating, the department will issue an order to register within seven days. Failure to comply will result in termination of the platform’s operation.

While listing, renewal and termination services will be provided free of charge by the department, platforms must pay applicable taxes to the relevant government offices. They are also required to securely store users’ personal information in encrypted form.

In the event of unauthorised access, data leakage or system malfunction, platforms must immediately suspend operations, inform the department and resume business only after full recovery. Platforms are prohibited from charging additional amounts after confirming the price, service charge and delivery fee.

The guidelines mandate the issuance of electronic invoices, including for cash payments. If an online payment transaction fails, platforms must ensure refund and return within seven days. Publishing misleading or exaggerated information or advertisements is prohibited.

The department will conduct regular inspections and monitoring of online platforms, deploying inspection officers as per the law. Stakeholders such as cybersecurity and IT experts, consumer rights activists, tax officials, media representatives and officials from relevant agencies may be involved during inspections. Legal action will be taken against platforms found to be violating the law.

For consumer protection and dispute resolution, online platforms must establish online mechanisms for complaint registration and management. If complaints are not resolved at the platform level, consumers can file them with the department, which must resolve such cases within 15 days.

An e-commerce conflict resolution committee will be formed under the coordination of the director of the department’s e-commerce business branch, with representation from buyers, sellers and inspection officers. Platforms are also required to securely maintain transaction records, invoices, consumer complaints, hearings and inspection details for at least five years.