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Liquor quota regulations to be implemented strictly for inbound passengers

29 March 2018 02:10 am - 13     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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There has been growing concern among the authorities with regards to increasing number of Sri Lankans returning to the country for the upcoming festive holidays and the excessive amount of alcoholic spirits they would bring along, pointing out that an individual was only entitled to bring 2.5 litres of liquor into Sri Lanka.

Many Sri Lankans living in European and Middle Eastern countries, returning for the upcoming festive season often exceed the stipulated limit, Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) reiterated yesterday.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror BIA Deputy Customs Director and Spokesman Vipula Minuwanpitiya warned that any attempt to bring in alcoholic beverages above the stipulated limit would result in heavy fines against the offenders. Additionally, bringing cigarettes into the country is completely forbidden, he reiterated.

Mr. Minuwanpitiya said "According to Sri Lanka Customs regulations, visitors should declare all items brought into the country upon arrival. “Residents should declare all the items, whether acquired abroad, purchased at the duty-free shops upon arrival and items restricted or prohibited,” SL Customs website states.

According to the passenger guide published on the BIA website the following items are restricted or prohibited: Gold, Jewellery, Gems and other Precious Metals, Liquor and Wines, Cosmetics, Medicinal drugs and devices, Telecommunication Equipment, foreign currency adding up to more than US$ 15,000 or equivalent.

“If a passenger intends to take back US$ 10,000 or more, he/she should declare the entire amount in Sri Lankan rupees," he said.

Animals, Plants (including specimens) and their parts, air-arms, ammunition, air guns and explosives or any other items which require special permits or licenses are also prohibited.

Narcotics, psychotropic substances, precursor drugs, pornographic and pro-religious literature have also been listed as prohibited items.

Sri Lankan residents are entitled to an annual allowance according to their stay abroad as per the following table. Items allowed under these allowances normally include personal clothing, electrical/ electronic household equipment (Other than restricted and prohibited items) and 2 ½ litres of liquor and 2 litres of wine. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)


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  Comments - 13

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  • We will still strike Thursday, 29 March 2018 06:52 AM

    Starting by taxing foreign savings and now this?? The price of black label and Sivas in srilanka is not affordable by regular people so People get it from the real world with real world prices. I swear if this is some sort of liquor lobby trying to control the market there will be heavy implications. Drop taxes on quality liquor locally otherwise. Country is shit by the day. Allow simple pleasures!!

    R K Thursday, 29 March 2018 09:09 AM

    The restriction of 2.5 ltrs has been there for ages . All they are saying is that they will implement it more strictly

    AJ Thursday, 29 March 2018 09:17 AM

    Liquor is a luxury item.There are much more important items which get taxed like medical services, medicines, basic food items. These are more important than liquor.

    Premalal Thursday, 29 March 2018 09:52 AM

    Our duty free shops are a total rip off. Almost every item including liquor is almost half price at the London duty free. Moreover chocolates and perfumes are sold fully taxed .That is why there is no restriction on these items..

    yohankumara Thursday, 29 March 2018 06:54 AM

    Strict restrictions and tougher law enforcement for hard working citizens, free hand for politicians and well connected racketeers

    truth Thursday, 29 March 2018 09:12 AM

    I have compared prices in Malaysia,Singapore and Australia. Our Duty free prices are the highest. You pay high despite the duty being free.

    Jaliya Thursday, 29 March 2018 09:15 AM

    It is always the law abiding and honest living individuals are the one is being punished. If any person lives overseas and earned foreign currency they should be allowed a reasonable amount of liquor to carry in with them, without any heavy taxes. The VAT is added to restaurant meals should be removed ... how can you promote tourism when you add these double taxes on food / drinks you order?

    Prem Thursday, 29 March 2018 12:25 PM

    Good for customs officers! LOL!!

    Siri de Alwis Thursday, 29 March 2018 02:50 PM

    Nobody should buy liquor in Duty free shops in Sri Lanka. They are 40-45% higher than anywhere in the world. In Germany, liquor is much cheaper in supermakerts than inour duty free shops.Siri

    lanka Thursday, 29 March 2018 04:26 PM

    lankans returning from employment overseas buy duty free goods out of the money they have earned as such they must and should be allowed fair and reasonable quotas.However these regulations do not apply to hundreds of MP's and Ministers who go on various fact finding missions abroad! Has anyone in the Presidents retinues returning to Sri Lanka being bodily or luggage checked? More a salute and help to even carry the goods. EQUALITY

    dickie bird Thursday, 29 March 2018 07:42 PM

    2.5 litres is very inconvenient. Make it 3 lt or 2 lt

    Nimal Saturday, 31 March 2018 02:31 PM

    This part of the utterly corrupt set up to rob the innocent citizen to raise money for the corrupt set up in the country where the debt is high.So we pay for their sins from the time we land on this country.

    Liquer shop Wednesday, 04 April 2018 10:39 AM

    Increase the liquor quote for the festive season as 7.5 liters who comes from abroad.,specially who buys from our duty free shops at the Air port.


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