The government agencies responsible for rebuilding Sri Lanka’s collapsed economy are working hard.
The Ministry of Finance has decided to remove the licensing system imposed on the importation of 369 HS codes from yesterday (June 1) and has also increased the import duty, customs and surcharge levied on the relevant goods.
Excise duty on a number of imported food items including yoghurt, cheese, grapes and apples has been increased and the Special Commodity Levy of Rs. 1,000 per kilogram on the import of yoghurt has been increased to Rs. 2,000 per kilogram. The special excise duty on all types of cheese has been increased from 400 rupees to 600 rupees per kilogram. The excise duty on oranges has been increased from Rs. 200 per kilogram to Rs. 600 and the special excise duty on grapes and apples has been increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 600.
A surcharge of 75 percent has been imposed on the importation of wheat flour as a percentage of the surcharge levied on customs duties. It has also decided to levy a 50 per cent surcharge on imports of chocolate and cocoa and increase the customs duty on foreign liquors including beer, wine, whiskey and vodka to 100 per cent.
There is also a 100% surcharge on foreign cigarettes and a 75% surcharge on foreign perfumes. A 75% surcharge has been imposed on foreign shampoos and a 50% surcharge on imports of tires for cars, motorcycles and three wheelers. The surcharge levied on customs duty on foreign footwear is 75 percent. A 100% surcharge has been imposed on the import of refrigerators, washing machines and electric ovens, a 100% surcharge on customs duty on air conditioners and a 100% surcharge on the importation of musical instruments.
