Sri Lanka Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in Sri Lanka, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals.
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Import Tariffs and Taxes
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Sri Lanka uses import tariffs as its main trade policy instrument.  Goods imported to Sri Lanka are subject to the following taxes, duties, and fiscal levies at the time of importation, in addition to other applicable taxes/levies:  https://www.customs.gov.lk/customs-tariff/import-tariff/ 

•    Customs duty  
•    Value Added Tax (VAT)  
•    Excise duty
•    Port and Airport Development Levy  
•    Special Commodity Levy  
•    Export Development Board (EDB) Levy (Cess)
•    Social Security Contribution Levy  

Some concessions and exemptions apply, and certain goods require permits or licenses under other statutory requirements. Imports are also governed by the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017.
Customs duty is levied on the transaction value. Sri Lanka applies a simplified three-tier tariff structure in line with WTO commitments:  zero, 10, and 15%.

VAT applies to imports, wholesale and retail trade, and services. The current rate is 18%.
Excise duties and special levies apply to tobacco, liquor, motor vehicles, certain petroleum products, and some electronics at varying rates.

The Port and Airport Development Levy is imposed on specified goods. The standard rate is 10%, with three concessionary rates also in place. Items previously subject to the National Building Tax face a 2.5% surcharge.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

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