Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka's Foreign Exchange Crisis Driven Import Control Regulations

  |   Attaché Report (GAIN)   |   CE2023-0002

Contact:

Office of Agricultural Affairs, Colombo   |   (011-94) (11) 249-8500

On April 9, 2022, the Sri Lankan government issued the Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 06 (2022). These regulations affect several food and non-food commodities. Food and agricultural products impacted by the measure include fish and fish products; dairy products; fruits (fresh and dried); cereal grains; starches; chocolate and other foods containing cocoa; pasta; couscous; fruit juices; prepared cereals; beers, wines, and spirits; and tobacco. An importer intent on importing any of the food and agricultural products specified in the Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 06 (2022) must have a valid license issued by the Controller General of Imports and Exports Control prior to the shipped-on board date of the bill of lading/airway bill of the consignment. The licensing fee varies by commodity and is assessed on cost-insurance-freight (CIF) basis. The government has introduced quantitative and price restrictions on imports to discourage the import of non-essential commodities.

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