SRI LANKA

CUSTOMS INFORMATION – Sri Lanka – We require a consignee’s original passport to present to customs, and a valid residence visa copy for foreign customers for customs clearance purposes. If the shipment includes a motor vehicle, there will be customs Duty will be applied, cost of which will depend on the value of the car and the valuation during clearance. We also require a Car title certificate and Original Car invoice. The body of the B/L should show make/model of the car, color, correct chassis & engine number. This must be followed to prevent unnecessary delays at customs. Following documents must be available prior arrival of the shipment:

• Express B/L copy
• Copy of Packing list
• Certificate of Title – for vehicle
• Copy of invoice (with value) – for vehicle, & duty charges decided by Customs after examination.
• Client original Passport
• Client Sri Lanka residence visa is must. (If foreigner)
• Client’s Delivery address and contact details.

As for Groupage – the shipment should be consigned to the person with a higher volume and the following documents are required:

• Express BL copy
• Original Passport & Sri Lanka residence visa copy of the person the shipment is consigned to.
• copy of individual packing list
• copy of combined packing list with combined total no. of packages
• loading sequence
• Individual delivery address and contact details.

As for unaccompanied air freight, Original Passport with residence visa copy must be available at the time of clearance otherwise the shipment will not be released from customs. We need the following documents in advance:

• MAWB copy
• Passport copy & Sri Lanka residence visa copy.
• Packing List
• Authorization letter – we will provide the format.
• Client’s delivery address and contact details.

Customs Clearance period: Personal Effects only – 4 to 6 working days. Clearance will take the whole day and delivery the next day. We offer complete destination services such as Custom clearance and later transportation of personal effects to client’s residence, unload, and unpack, assembly of furniture & removal of debris. Please note that currently, only Port crew/staff are allowed inside the inspection area during inspection (loading/unloading of goods from/into the container), container will be handed over back to our crew after physical inspection. For unaccompanied air freight 3-4 working days – delivery can be arranged during weekdays / working hours. Shipment with motor vehicle: 6 to 9 working days, direct delivery via towing truck (re-registration of the car must be handled personally by client)

• Should the shipment arrive either on Friday or Saturday which are the week-ends in the Middle East including public holidays where public offices are closed as well, there is a possibility of delay in customs clearance and chances of Storage/ démarrage can be applied.
• All importation of Personnel Effects are being put through à scanner machine during Customs Clearance thus avoid the following items in the shipment :
• Combustible liquids like alcohols, lubricants, anti-freeze compounds
• Explosives like fireworks, flashbulbs, ammunition.
• Compressed Gas like aerosol cans, fire extinguishers, scuba diving tanks, propane (BBQ) tanks
• Raw Wood Materials like jungle gym/swing set/outdoor sheds, untreated shelving/loose wood/craft wood, untreated furniture
• Flammables like gasoline, butane, propane, lighter fluid, perfume/cologne, matches, oil-based wood stains, oil-based garden sprays, paint, varnish remover, charcoal briquettes, signal flares, candles (with or without wick)
• Any kind, type of battery
• Live plants, dried flowers/plants, chemicals, poisons, seeds, fresh fruits, No Foods at all which includes all types/kinds of alcoholic beverages including medicine.
• Items that are offensive to Islamic faith
• Candles – such items will easily melt/deformed during transit or whilst container is sitting inside the port for clearance during peak Summertime (July – September). Client must be fully aware of the extreme climate temperature.

Failure to adhere to the above would be tantamount to delays, huge penalty, or possibility of returning the shipment to Origin country and charges of which will have to be borne by the Shipper/owner of the shipment.