Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Extends Surcharge on Customs Duties for Select Food and Agricultural Products

On November 30, 2022, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies issued a Customs Notification, imposing a levy on 15 food and agricultural products (HS) headings. The Customs Notification was published in the Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka – Extraordinary (official gazette) No. 2308/16 (November 30, 2022). This trade restrictive ordinance is effective December 1, 2022, for a period of six-months. This new ordinance is an extension of the Customs Notification of May 31, 2022, which expired on November 30, 2022. Food and agricultural products impacted by the measure include sweetened condensed milk, cheese, fresh citrus fruit, chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa, pasta, cereal products (oats, corn flakes), fruit juices (orange, grapefruits, pineapple, apple, cranberry, grape, passion), non-alcoholic beverages (tea, beverages based on fruit or vegetables, beverages based on milk), beers, wines, and spirits, and tobacco products.