SRI LANKA

Goods
Removal Goods

Documents required
ORIGINAL B/L AWB. Passports (Old/New) of all the family. Packing inventory in English (detailed). List of articles with nominal value. Sri Lanka Customs form (baggage declaration). Resident Visa (1 year for foreign nationals). Blue card (issued by the immigration for duty free). Insurance certificate. Photographs (for antique furniture, statues, ebony would be of assistance at time of reexport). Bank guarantee (surface shipment over 175cuft).

Customs Prescriptions
Duty free importation provided: The baggage is "bonafide", i.e., it should consist of goods for personal use and for the use of the family members only. It should NOT include: - Goods in commercial quantities. - Goods for others. - Goods (unaccompanied baggage), which arrive after 90 days of your arrival. Make a written declaration. Fill all sections of the form, with passport N, last date of departure from Sri Lanka, and date of arrival etc. All currencies, gold jewellery, etc., must be declared with details. Ensure your passport is endorsed by Customs at the time of arrival. Duty free allowances: Period less than 90 days unaccompanied baggage up to US$ 125. Period over than 90 days and less than 365 days unaccompanied baggage up to US$ 500. Period over 365 days unaccompanied baggage up to US$ 1000. Minors (under 18 years) - Period less than 90 days unaccompanied baggage up to US$87.50. One year resident visa holders unaccompanied baggage up to US$. 1,000/Duty percentage is as follows:

Remarks
The owner must be present in Sri Lanka before Customs clearance can be undertaken. Surface shipments should arrive in Sri Lanka within 3 months of owner's arrival, and air shipments within 1 month. In the absence of the owner, a Power of Attorney must be submitted with a copy of Passport. FCL and Air Shipment must be cleared within 3 days of landing. LCL must be cleared after 3 days of de-stuffing from the containers or demurrage will be incurred for the full day of landing. All shipments are subject to Customs checking. Customs examinations are normally held at the Baggage office of the Sri Lanka Customs between 8.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. Outside Examinations: Applications for customs examination outside the baggage office are entertained only on packages which measure over 175 cuft and will depend on the availability of officers. These examinations are held after 4.30 p.m. on weekdays and within Colombo and suburbs only. A refundable deposit (the quantum, of which will be decided by the Assistant Director of customs (baggage) on perusal of the valued inventory list attached to the application for

Updated version January 2004

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SRI LANKA
Goods Documents required Customs Prescriptions
Duty 25%, 10%, or 2.5% Surcharge 20% Of The Duty amount Value Added Tax (VAT) 10% or 20% If Applicable Excise Duty 15%, 35%, 65% of the declared Value. Port and Airport Levy 1% of the value. All relevant customs declaration forms for clearance must be signed by consignee at destination (No photocopies will be accepted).

Remarks
an outside examination) must be advanced by the consignee in the form of cash or bank guarantee valid for six months. The above deposit would be refunded if: Duty is not payable or On payment of the appraised duty payable. Owner's contact details, delivery address and packing inventories should be clearly written on the B/L. Total numbers of packages on the inventory, B/L and other related documents should tally. Goods should be declared as used personal and household effects. All documents should be in possession of the destination agent at least 5 days prior to arrival of shipment. Obtaining duty exception from the Ministry takes approximately 7-10 days minimum. All documents should be in possession of the destination agent at least 5 days prior to arrival of shipment.

Diplomatic Shipments

Original BL/AWB. Packing inventory in English. Duty free certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Copy of Passport endorsed by the Ministry of foreign affairs in Sri Lanka. Duty Free Clearance Certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka. Original B/L./Owners passport. Manufacturers invoice/insurance. Original Registration Certificate (English translation). Keys/Exchange Control approval.

Duty free only if clearance certificate is produced.

Automobiles

Duties/Taxes Subject to local agent valuation. Petrol vehicles: Minimum duty of 80% Maximum duty of 90% Diesel vehicle : Minimum duty 175%

Shipments must be cleared within 3 days of landing or demurrage will be incurred from the first day of landing. The car will be in the Port for customs valuation etc., for a minimum of 7 working days. There will
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Updated version January 2004

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SRI LANKA
Goods Documents required
Import licence is required for cars over 3 years old and for vans and dual-purpose vehicles over 5 years old. Transport Ministry Approval (for left-hand drive). Tin Certificate and G.S.T. Certificate. Insurance certificate. RMV cancellation Certificate from country of origin. Marine condition Certificate issued at origin.

Customs Prescriptions
Maximum duty of 200%

Remarks
be demurrage incurring for the car, which has to be pre-paid by customer prior to clearance. Customs examinations are normally held at the Motor vehicle yard of the Sri Lanka Customs between 8.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. If motor vehicle is being shipped with personal effects in a container, the vehicle must be loaded in front (near the door) of the container. Import License could be obtained from The Import Controller, Control department, 75, 1/3, 1st floor, Hemas Building, Colombo 1 Tel: 00 94 11 232 6774 / 2324386. All documents should be in possession of the destination agent at least 5 days prior to arrival of shipment. The boat will be in the port for approvals for a minimum of 10-12 working days. There will be demurrage incurring, which has to be pre-paid by customer prior to clearance.

Boats with engine

Motorcycles

Original B/L/ Manufacturers invoice. Import licence for engine exceeding 25hp. Letter of Credit or Direct Payment. Exchange control approval/List of items. Defence Ministry/Fisheries Ministry Approval. Original B/L/Owners passport. Manufacturer invoice/Insurance. Original Registration Certificate (English translation). Keys. Exchange control approval. Chamber of Commerce Certificate.

Duty Payable

Duty Payable Engine capacity not exceeding 125 c.c. Customs Duty 10%, Surcharge 20% Vat 10% Port Levies 1% of the declared value. Engine capacity not exceeding 125cc-200cc Customs Duty 10%, Surcharge 20% Vat 10% Port Levies 1% + excise duty 5% of the

The motorcycle will be in the port for approvals for a minimum of 7 working days. There will be demurrage incurring, which has to be pre-paid by customer prior to clearance. If motorcycle is being shipped with personal effects in a container, the motorcycle must
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SRI LANKA
Goods Documents required
Furniture new/office Import licence for engine exceeding 250c.c. Certificate of registration cancellation from the country of origin. Original BL/AWB. Packing inventory in English. Invoice/ Import licence. Exchange control approval. Letter of credit or direct payment value exceeding USD 1.000.00. Tin / vat registration number. Original BL/AWB. Packing inventory in English. Invoice/ Import licence. Exchange control approval. Letter of credit or direct payment. Original BL/AWB. Packing inventory in English. Invoice. Exchange control approval. Letter of credit or direct payment. Tin number & GST registration number. Original BL/AWB. Packing inventory in English. Invoice/Import licence/Telecom approval. Exchange control approval. Letter of credit or direct payment. Original AWB. Health and quarantine certificates. Original import licence obtained by the Department of Animal production and

Customs Prescriptions
declared value. Engine capacity exceeding -200 c.c. Customs Duty 10%, Surcharge 20% Vat 10% Port Levies 1% + excise duty 15% of the declared value. Duty Payable if duty waiver is not obtained from the Finance Ministry and Social Service Ministry, the following taxes should be paid: Duty Percentage is as follows Customs duty 25% Vat 20% or 10% Surcharge 20% of the declared value. Duty Payable Customs Duty 25%, Surcharge 20% Vat 20% Port / Airport Levies 1% of the declared value. Duty Payable.

Remarks
be loaded in front (near the door) of the container.

Donation Goods

Do not undervalue. There will be penalties and high duties.

Do not undervalue. There will be penalties and high duties.

Machines parts

Do not undervalue. There will be penalties and high duties.

Fax machines, phones, antenna, satellite dish

Duty Payable.

Goods will be detained by customs until telecom approval has been obtained. Do not undervalue. There will be penalties and high duties.

Pets

Duty Payable.

Advisable to send pets along with passenger on same flight. Applications for Import licence can be obtained
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Updated version January 2004

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SRI LANKA
Goods Documents required
Health, Getambe, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Customs Prescriptions

Remarks
from the Embassy of Sri Lanka at origin and should be obtained by customer. No duplicates or copies accepted. These documents should be produced to Customs for clearance. Do not undervalue. There will be penalties and high duties.

Alcohol, wines, cigarettes

Original BL/AWB. Packing inventory in English. List of articles with nominal value.

Office files and folders

Exhibition goods Electrical appliances Prohibited items

Original BL/AWB. Packing inventory in English. Invoice. Exchange control approval. Letter of credit or direct payment. Same as above. Same as above.

Duty Payable. US$. 10/- per litter + Surcharge 20%, VAT 20%, Port/Airport levies 1% Approximately 250 % - 300 % of the declared value. Duty Payable.

Do not undervalue. There will be penalties and high duties.

Duty Payable. Duty Payable. Prohibited and restricted goods: Sri Lanka currency over Rs.250/Indian & Pakistan currencies. Gold, Silver and Gems. Dangerous drugs. Pornographic material, seditious literature, etc. Plants, fruits and vegetables, live fish and animals. Firearms, dangerous weapons and explosives. Telecommunication equipment. Feathers, furs, skins, tusks, etc.

Do not undervalue. There will be penalties and high duties. Do not undervalue. There will be penalties and high duties. Warning A false or non-declaration is an offence and may involve heavy penalties including forfeiture. When in doubt, consult a customs officer.

Updated version January 2004

All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form and by any means, without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 5

The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication

SRI LANKA
Goods
Religious Art work

Documents required
Original Bill of Lading / Air Way Bill Packing inventory in English Invoice Exchange control approval Letter of Credit or Direct Payment

Customs Prescriptions
Duty Payable.

Remarks
Customs do not allow importing obscene, monstrous religious and Buddhist articles.

Updated version January 2004

All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form and by any means, without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 6

The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication