Sri Lanka’s newly gazetted Customs fee framework, scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026, is drawing growing concern from importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and logistics operators who fear the reforms could significantly increase the cost of doing business at a time when many companies remain under financial pressure.
While the Government has presented the regulations as a modernisation initiative, several sectors argue that the revised charges represent a substantial increase in operational costs that may ultimately be passed on to businesses and consumers.
One of the most debated aspects is the rise in export examination fees. Under the new framework, Full Container Load (FCL) export consignments will be charged Rs. 600 for the first container, compared to Rs. 550 previously. Charges for Less than Container Load (LCL) consignments have increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 per Customs Declaration, while examination fees for bulk cargo exports have surged from Rs. 20 to Rs. 100 per metric ton.
Exporters warn that although individual increases may appear modest, cumulative costs across multiple shipments could erode competitiveness, particularly for low-margin industries such as agriculture, fisheries, and small-scale manufacturing.
The introduction of new service charges for cargo removal and declaration processing has also raised concerns. Importers will face charges of Rs. 3,200 for a single container, Rs. 2,000 for LCL consignments up to 15 metric tons, and Rs. 2,400 for motor vehicle declarations. Industry representatives argue that these additional expenses arrive at a time when businesses are already grappling with high financing, transport, and energy costs.
The sharp increase in ICT-related fees has generated particular criticism. The monthly fee for BOI users has doubled from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 16,000 per user. Although Customs authorities argue that digital improvements require sustainable funding, businesses question whether service enhancements will materialise quickly enough to justify the increase.
Logistics providers have also expressed concern over new licensing and compliance requirements. Inland Clearance Depots will face annual licence fees of Rs. 1 million, while new applications require processing fees of Rs. 200,000. Industry analysts warn that smaller operators may struggle to absorb these costs, potentially reducing competition within the sector.
Shipping agents are similarly affected by requirements to maintain a Rs. 1 million bond and a minimum deposit of Rs. 250,000 when facilitating vessel operations before reporting formalities are completed. Critics argue that tying up working capital in deposits could create cash-flow challenges, particularly for smaller agencies.
Additional penalties of up to Rs. 100,000 for reporting violations have further heightened concerns regarding compliance risks. Stakeholders fear that increased regulatory complexity may expose businesses to financial penalties even for minor administrative errors.
While the Government expects the reforms to strengthen Customs operations and revenue collection, many businesses remain cautious. Their primary concern is whether increased fees will be accompanied by measurable improvements in efficiency, faster clearance times, and better digital services. Without such gains, the new framework risks being viewed not as a trade facilitation measure, but as an additional financial burden on Sri Lanka’s import and export sector.
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