How can goods be sent to Sri Lanka from Overseas : Customs explains

The government has announced measures to facilitate the receipt and distribution of humanitarian assistance from overseas donors, with adverse weather conditions continuing to affect communities across Sri Lanka.

Officials confirmed that a simplified process has been introduced to ensure the expeditious clearance and delivery of relief consignments.

All import taxes and levies on such donations have been exempted to speed up the flow of aid to affected areas.

The government said that detailed guidelines have been issued to assist donors in dispatching consignments smoothly, covering Customs clearance and distribution procedures.

These measures are aimed at ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need without delay.

What are the goods that can be donated?

A list of items depending on the existing requirements has been prepared and published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This list can be accessed through https://mfa.gov.lk/en/

While appreciating the donations, please note that certain goods are regulated under various regulations to meet national requirements such as quality, standards and fitness for human consumption etc. Donated goods will also be subjected to these requirements.

However, in the event of such goods being received, respective regulatory authorities shall inspect the same and authorize the clearance, only if they meet the regulatory requirements.

How to send the donations to Sri Lanka?

Any individual or organization could send relief items (as above) to the country using any mode of transport. Please be advised that in order to avail of the duty-free clearance, the relief consignments should be addressed to the following consignee:

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Disaster Management Center (DMC), Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 07.

For a smooth and expeditious clearance process, please include a List of Items with the quantity and estimated value for Customs purposes and email to DMC prior to departure of shipment from the sending country. (email and contact details of DMC can be found at the end of this document)

Relief consignments could be sent under the following categories.

2.1 Consignments from Government to Government:

2.1.1 As Diplomatic Cargo consigned to the relevant Diplomatic Mission in Sri Lanka.

2.1.2 Directly consigned to Secretary to the Ministry of Defence under the DMC.

2.2 Consignments from Individuals/Organizations:

2.2.1 Consigned to DMC

2.2.2 Consigned to individuals and organizations in Sri Lanka.

How to clear the donations from Sri Lanka Customs?

Customs clearance of relief consignments will be processed through a simplified Customs Declaration (CusDec). Dedicated counters and staff have been allocated to facilitate document processing and clearance of both sea and air cargo shipments on priority basis at the respective clearance centers.

The categories of relief consignments identified at above, will be cleared as follows:

3.1 Consignments from Government to Government

3.1.1 Diplomatic Cargo consigned to the relevant Diplomatic Missions in Sri Lanka, Clearance will be done by the respective Diplomatic Mission with the assistance of DMC on duty free basis.

3.1.2 Directly consigned to Secretary to the Ministry of Defence under the DMC:

DMC will undertake clearance on duty free basis.

3.2 Consignments from Individuals/Organizations:

3.2.1 Consigned to DMC:

DMC will undertake clearance on duty free basis.

3.2.2 Consigned to individuals and organizations:

If the local recipient agrees to transfer ownership to DMC, clearance will be undertaken by DMC on a duty free basis. All other charges relevant to the consignment such as freight (if not prepaid), local shipping line charges, handling charges at the point of clearance etc. should be borne by the respective.

If the recipient wishes to clear under their own name or organization, such goods shall be cleared by the respective consignee on payment of all applicable levies. Therefore, it is advised that all relief consignments be consigned to the DMC for duty free clearance.