How to Register an Online Business in Nepal

For online sellers in Nepal, registration depends on structure. Sole proprietorship is easiest for solo sellers; Pvt. Ltd. is better if you plan to scale or take investment. Here’s how to register in 2026, what documents you need, what it really costs, and what to do after the certificate arrives.

Registration is not just paperwork. A registered business can open a current account, apply for payment gateways, sign contracts and issue proper invoices. Many sellers start informally, then find that a bank or corporate buyer wants a certificate and PAN first.

Why register at all?

There are four practical reasons:

• Trust — customers and suppliers take a registered business more seriously.
• Payments — merchant accounts for eSewa, Khalti and banks usually require registration and PAN.
• Contracts — larger clients and marketplaces may only work with registered entities.
• Compliance — registration makes tax filing, invoicing and future growth much simpler.

A Pvt. Ltd. also separates your personal assets from business debts. That protection matters more as orders, employees and credit grow.

Choose structure

A sole proprietorship is a firm registered locally: cheap, fast and easy to close, but you are personally responsible for debts. A Pvt. Ltd. is a separate legal entity with shareholders and directors. It costs more and needs annual compliance, but offers credibility, investment and protection.

A partnership suits two or three people sharing costs, but write an agreement covering capital, roles, profit share and exit. Verbal arrangements rarely survive the first disagreement.

Where to register

The local office handles firms, while companies go through the Office of the Company Registrar. Procedures and fees can vary slightly by municipality, so confirm the current requirements before travelling.

Before you start: documents and decisions

Have these ready:

• Proposed business name, plus two alternatives
• Citizenship certificate
• PAN (can be obtained before or after)
• Passport-size photos
• Business address proof (rent agreement or ownership document)
• For Pvt. Ltd.: MOA, AOA, shareholder and director details, witness details

Decide your business activity carefully. “E-commerce” or “online retail” should reflect what you actually sell. If you sell goods, mention trading; if you provide services, mention the service. A vague objective can cause problems later with banks or tenders.

Step 1 — Get PAN

Register PAN first or after. Free via taxpayerportal.ird.gov.np. See PAN guide.

PAN is needed for the bank account, tax filings and most payment gateways. Keep the PAN certificate and citizenship copies together in a folder, both physical and digital.

Step 2 — Sole proprietorship registration

1. Visit local DoCSCP office
2. Submit application with citizenship, PAN, photos, address
3. Pay fee (NPR 500–2,000)
4. Collect registration certificate (2–5 days)

Requirements vary slightly by municipality, so confirm the local procedure first. Take photocopies and originals, ask for the exact fee schedule and keep the receipt. You may also need to register the firm for local tax.

Step 3 — Pvt. Ltd. registration via CAMIS

1. Go to ocr.gov.np and create CAMIS account
2. Name reservation — check and reserve unique name (ends with Pvt. Ltd.)
3. Prepare documents — MOA, AOA, citizenships, address proof
4. Upload & pay — fee based on authorized capital (starts NPR 1,000)
5. Get certificate — download once approved (7–12 days)

Name reservation is often the slowest step, so have two or three options ready. The name must not be misleading or identical to an existing company. Adapt MOA and AOA templates so the objectives match your real business.

Note that the OCR fee depends on authorised capital, not paid-up capital. Many beginners choose a modest authorised capital to keep fees low, then increase it later if needed.

Documents checklist

Sole proprietorship:

• Citizenship copy
• PAN
• Passport photos
• Application form

Pvt. Ltd.:

• Name reservation approval
• MOA & AOA
• Shareholder/director citizenships
• Witness details
• Office address proof
• Fee receipt

Keep both printed and scanned copies. You will reuse them for the bank account, payment gateways and tax registration.

Costs summary

Budget for annual renewals, accounting, tax filing and, for a company, audit and annual returns. A cheap registration becomes expensive if compliance is ignored.

Timeline expectations

Delays happen when documents are inconsistent, names are rejected or fees are paid incorrectly. Keep scanned copies ready and follow up politely.

After registration: a practical checklist

• Open a business bank account
• Link PAN and the business account
• Apply for eSewa/Khalti merchant accounts if selling online
• Create invoice templates with PAN and registration number
• Register for VAT if turnover crosses the IRD threshold
• Keep purchase bills, sales records and delivery receipts
• Diarise renewal dates and tax filing deadlines
• Display business details on your website or marketplace profile where required

Mistakes to avoid

• Registering a Pvt. Ltd. before validating the business.
• Using a friend’s address without a proper agreement.
• Mixing personal and business transactions.
• Ignoring VAT until a client asks for a bill.
• Forgetting annual returns and renewals.

When to upgrade to a Pvt. Ltd.

Consider upgrading when you need limited liability, a co-founder or investor, larger contracts, or your turnover has outgrown a firm. The upgrade means registering a new company and transferring assets or contracts; get professional advice first.

Tips

• Start with sole proprietorship to validate
• Link PAN to bank for payments
• Keep records for tax/VAT
• For e-commerce, comply with eCommerce Act 2081

The bottom line

For most new online sellers, sole proprietorship is the fastest, cheapest way. Register via DoCSCP with PAN, then enable payments. Upgrade to Pvt. Ltd. when scaling. The certificate is a start, not a finish line: good records and timely filings keep the business healthy.

Fact-checked September 2026. Steps/rates change; confirm current details. General information.