Customs Procedures for Clearance of Passenger Baggage
Passenger’s Baggage (Exemption Inward) Relations published in Extraordinary Gazette No 792/17 of 10.11.1993. (amended by Extraordinary Gazettes 1234/17 of 29.02.2002, 1282/3 of 31.03.2003 and 1438/24 0f 31.03.2006)
Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235)
Imports – Section 12, 43, 107 A I
Exports – Section 12, 43, 107 A II
Other Laws to Control Baggage
Import & Export Control Act No. 01 of 1969
Exchange Control Act
National Gem and Jewelry Act
Antiques Ordinance
Food Act
National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act (NMRA)
Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance
Intellectual Property Act
Plant Protection Ordinance
Tobacco Act
Firearms Ordinance
“Baggage” means -
In the case of Ordinary passenger, who is ordinary resident in Sri Lanka (and is not a tourist) goods which such person brings accompanied or unaccompanied or purchased at any approved Duty Free Shop upon arrival in Sri Lanka subject to the conditions specified here in after:-
That such goods are bona fide for his personal use or the use of a member or member of his family provided that the total quantity brought or purchased in respect of any ingle item is not a commercial quantity as determined by the Director General of Customs;
That such goods are brought by a passenger on his arrival in Sri Lanka or landed 30 days before or within 90 days after his arrival or within such further period as determined by the Director General of Customs, may in the Circumstances of each case, determine or are purchased from an approved Duty Free Shop upon his arrival or are brought within 90 days of the first issue of a Resident Visa.
That such goods will not include the following:
Goods imported or purchased at an duty free shop for the purpose of sale or exchange
Goods which are the property of any person other than the passenger
Goods to be given as to any person other than a member of his family
Motor Vehicles other than motor cycles, motor scooters and auto cycles with an engine capacity 0f 350CC or below
In the case of Ordinary passenger, who is a tourist, the personal effects which such person wears or brings with him on his arrival in Sri Lanka for hi personal use but does not include goods which are ;
In commercial quantities as determined b the Director General of Customs; or
Imported for the purpose of sale or exchange; or
The property of any person other than the passenger or a member of his family raveling with him; or
To be given as a gift to any other person
Special Cases
GOLD – Only allowed personal items, however need to be declared
Cigarette – Prohibited under the Tobacco Act
Currency – Limits established under Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017
Spirits – Sri Lankans – 2.5 L Whiskey + 2 L Wine
– Foreigners – 1.5 L Whiskey + 2 L Wine
Medicine– License from NMRA required, other than personal use
