Step by Step Functionality

Components for footwear

Full procedure view - for a first time trader

Import of components for footwear through Port of Colombo

This is the full procedure for import of components for footwear ie. the goods coming under the HS Code 6406.

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Licenses and primary registration

Obtain TIN certificate

To operate a business in Sri Lanka this registration is mandatory. The TIN certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department. In order to obtain the VAT certificate to import, this registration is mandatory.

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Register as an importer (TIN/VAT registration) with Customs

It is mandatory for any importer importing any product to register their VAT/TIN number in the Customs system (ASYCUDA World). This is a one-time registration.

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Permits

Obtain VAT certificate

To import any product this registration is mandatory. The VAT certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department for an initial three-month period and has to be obtained every three months until income exceeds 3 million rupees. After income exceeds 3 million rupees, the importer can request the permanent VAT registration.

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Clearance

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Electrical items

Full procedure view - for a first time trader

Import of electrical items through Port of Colombo

The full import procedure compiles all the mandatory licenses, permits and clearance steps to import electrical items as a first-time importer. If you are already registered as an importer with the Department of Inland Revenue, with Sri Lanka Customs and in the online system of SLSI, you can look in this search page of the product for the specific permits, certificates or information needed.

View procedure

Licenses and primary registration

Obtain TIN certificate

To operate a business in Sri Lanka this registration is mandatory. The TIN certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department. In order to obtain the VAT certificate to import, this registration is mandatory.

View procedure

Register as an importer (TIN/VAT registration) with Customs

It is mandatory for any importer importing any product to register their VAT/TIN number in the Customs system (ASYCUDA World). This is a one-time registration.

View procedure

Register in SLSI online system

For the import inspection scheme of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), importers must have access to the online portal where the application can be submitted. This registration generates the password and username credentials to access the SLSI online portal.

View procedure

Permits

Obtain VAT certificate

To import any product this registration is mandatory. The VAT certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department for an initial three-month period and has to be obtained every three months until income exceeds 3 million rupees. After income exceeds 3 million rupees, the importer can request the permanent VAT registration.

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Import inspection scheme of SLSI

For certain items, the Customs or the Import and Export Control Department would not permit clearance of the imported product without the approval of Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). In this case, the importer/clearing agent needs to undertake an inspection from SLSI.

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Obtain import control license

The validity period of a general import control license is 90 days. A request for further extension of a license should be made within 30 days from the date of expiry. Even if the request is made before or after the date of expiry, the validity period of license will be extended only for a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of expiry. The period of extension depends on the nature of the license. In case of renewal of a license, consideration will be given to extend the period of validity to three times, while the total period of validity of a license will be one year (from the initial date of issuance of the license).

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Obtain debit note

When issuing the import control license, the Import and Export Control Department will allow only a defined quota of the specified product to be imported. Once a share of the product is imported, the importer must obtain a debit note which states the remaining balance of product which he/she will be able to be import in the future.

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Clearance

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Fabrics

Full procedure view - for a first time trader

Import of fabrics through Port of Colombo

The full import procedure compiles all the mandatory licenses, permits and clearance steps to import fabrics as a first-time importer. If you are already registered as an importer with the Department of Inland Revenue and with Sri Lanka Customs you can look in this search page of the product for the specific permits, certificates or information needed.

View procedure

Licenses and primary registration

Obtain TIN certificate

To operate a business in Sri Lanka this registration is mandatory. The TIN certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department. In order to obtain the VAT certificate to import, this registration is mandatory.

View procedure

Register as an importer (TIN/VAT registration) with Customs

It is mandatory for any importer importing any product to register their VAT/TIN number in the Customs system (ASYCUDA World). This is a one-time registration.

View procedure

Permits

Obtain VAT certificate

To import any product this registration is mandatory. The VAT certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department for an initial three-month period and has to be obtained every three months until income exceeds 3 million rupees. After income exceeds 3 million rupees, the importer can request the permanent VAT registration.

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Clearance

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Machinery and mechanical appliances

Full procedure view - for a first time trader

Please choose one

Licenses and primary registration

Obtain TIN certificate

To operate a business in Sri Lanka this registration is mandatory. The TIN certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department. In order to obtain the VAT certificate to import, this registration is mandatory.

View procedure

Register as an importer (TIN/VAT registration) with Customs

It is mandatory for any importer importing any product to register their VAT/TIN number in the Customs system (ASYCUDA World). This is a one-time registration.

View procedure

Permits

Obtain VAT certificate

To import any product this registration is mandatory. The VAT certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department for an initial three-month period and has to be obtained every three months until income exceeds 3 million rupees. After income exceeds 3 million rupees, the importer can request the permanent VAT registration.

View procedure

Obtain import control license

The validity period of a general import control license is 90 days. A request for further extension of a license should be made within 30 days from the date of expiry. Even if the request is made before or after the date of expiry, the validity period of license will be extended only for a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of expiry. The period of extension depends on the nature of the license. In case of renewal of a license, consideration will be given to extend the period of validity to three times, while the total period of validity of a license will be one year (from the initial date of issuance of the license).
To import this product an import control license is mandatory. Generally a recommending authority needs to give an approval for the Import control license to be granted. But there are instances where a recommending authority is not necessary. To exactly ascertain the recommending authority click here. .

View procedure

Obtain debit note

When issuing the import control license, the Import and Export Control Department will allow only a defined quota of the specified product to be imported. Once a share of the product is imported, the importer must obtain a debit note which states the remaining balance of product which he/she will be able to be import in the future.

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Clearance

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Paper and paperboard

Full procedure view - for a first time trader

Import of paper and paperboard through Port of Colombo

The full import procedure compiles all the mandatory licenses, permits and clearance steps to import paper and paperboard as a first-time importer. If you are already registered as an importer with the Department of Inland Revenue, with Sri Lanka Customs and in the online system of SLSI, you can look in this search page of the product for the specific permits, certificates or information needed.

View procedure

Licenses and primary registration

Obtain TIN certificate

To operate a business in Sri Lanka this registration is mandatory. The TIN certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department. In order to obtain the VAT certificate to import, this registration is mandatory.

View procedure

Register as an importer (TIN/VAT registration) with Customs

It is mandatory for any importer importing any product to register their VAT/TIN number in the Customs system (ASYCUDA World). This is a one-time registration.

View procedure

Register in SLSI online system

For the import inspection scheme of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), importers must have access to the online portal where the application can be submitted. This registration generates the password and username credentials to access the SLSI online portal.

View procedure

Permits

Obtain VAT certificate

To import any product this registration is mandatory. The VAT certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department for an initial three-month period and has to be obtained every three months until income exceeds 3 million rupees. After income exceeds 3 million rupees, the importer can request the permanent VAT registration.

View procedure

Import inspection scheme of SLSI

For certain items, the Customs would not permit clearance of the imported product without the approval of Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). In this case, the importer/clearing agent needs to undertake an inspection from SLSI.

View procedure

Clearance

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Phones and accessories for telecommunication

Full procedure view - for a first time trader

Import of phones and accessories through Port of Colombo

The full procedures below compile all the the mandatory licenses, permits and clearance steps to import phones and different accessories as a first-time importer.

Licenses and primary registration

Obtain TIN certificate

To operate a business in Sri Lanka this registration is mandatory. The TIN certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department. In order to obtain the VAT certificate to import, this registration is mandatory.

View procedure

Register as an importer (TIN/VAT registration) with Customs

It is mandatory for any importer importing any product to register their VAT/TIN number in the Customs system (ASYCUDA World). This is a one-time registration.

View procedure

Obtain vendor license to import telecommunication equipment

The vendor licence is an authorization issued by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) to manufacture, import, sale, offer for sale, deal-in, hire, lease, demonstrate, maintain or repair of any telecommunications equipment or radio-communication equipment in Sri Lanka.

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Obtain standard type approval

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Obtain simplified type approval

Type approval is requirement in importing brand new types of terminal equipment. Type approval is granted by the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC).

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Permits

Obtain debit note

When issuing the import control license, the Import and Export Control Department will allow only a defined quota of the specified product to be imported. Once a share of the product is imported, the importer must obtain a debit note which states the remaining balance of product which he/she will be able to be import in the future.

View procedure

Obtain VAT certificate

To import any product this registration is mandatory. The VAT certificate is issued by Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Department for an initial three-month period and has to be obtained every three months until income exceeds 3 million rupees. After income exceeds 3 million rupees, the importer can request the permanent VAT registration.

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Approval for import of mobile phones/devices for personal use

This is the procedure to obtain a letter of no-objection issued by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) to the Controller of the Import and Export Control Department and to the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs. Only up to five units can be imported or brought for personal use.

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Approval for bulk import of mobile phones/devices

The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) issues a letter of no-objection addressed to the Controller of the Import and Export Control Department granting permission to import the applicant's equipment into Sri Lanka. Upon submitting further documents, the applicant can also obtain a letter of no-objection addressed to the Director General of the Sri Lanka Customs allowing for the applicant's equipment to be released from Customs detention.

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Obtain import control license

The validity period of a general import control license is 90 days. A request for further extension of a license should be made within 30 days from the date of expiry. Even if the request is made before or after the date of expiry, the validity period of license will be extended only for a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of expiry. The period of extension depends on the nature of the license. In case of renewal of a license, consideration will be given to extend the period of validity to three times, while the total period of validity of a license will be one year (from the initial date of issuance of the license).
To import this product an import control license is mandatory. Generally a recommending authority needs to give an approval for the Import control license to be granted. But there are instances where a recommending authority is not necessary. To exactly ascertain the recommending authority click here.

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Clearance

Clearance of phones and accessories (Aircargo Terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport)

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Port of Colombo