Sri Lankaශ්‍රී ලංකා / இலங்கை

Travellers arriving in Sri Lanka may bring 2 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Travelers aged 18+ may bring 2 L alcohol + 200 cigarettes / 50 cigars duty-free. Personal goods up to USD 1,500. Returning resident allowance is higher under TR.

200 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000 (USD) must be declared on arrival.

15000 LKR (~USD 50). Personal-import parcels under LKR 15,000 (≈USD 50) duty-free; above attracts customs (10-30%) + VAT (15%) + Port Levy + CESS.

VAT 18% (raised from 15% in January 2024 as part of IMF programme fiscal consolidation). Applied to imports plus customs duty per Sri Lankan Tariff and PAL (Ports and Airports Levy) and CESS on selected commodities.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Sri Lanka Customs for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to Sri Lanka's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with Sri Lanka Customs, a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Narcotics; Counterfeit goods; CITES-listed species. See the full prohibited list on this page.

Firearms (police permit); Pharmaceuticals (NMRA permit); Currency over USD 10,000. Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into Sri Lanka accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Sri Lanka Customs's agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; Sri Lanka may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Sri Lanka Customs guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact Sri Lanka's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter Sri Lanka.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Sri Lanka Customs via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.