19 June 2017 04:47 pm
The circular had been issued following amendments made to the relevant policy in accordance with decisions reached at the May 2 Cabinet meeting.
The Trade Agreement Policy Circular No.01/2016 dated July 14, 2016 governs the import of vehicles for senior level executives grade administrative positions in sate sector, the Ministry said.
If the vehicles cost, insurance premium and freight (CIF) value exceeds above US$25,000 whether it is imported or purchased locally, should not be transferred to any other party before the completion of five year time period from the date of registration.
The circular dated retrospectively, affects vehicles imported since June 10.
Accordingly, the maximum CIF value should not exceed US$ 30,000 or its equivalent in any other currency, as per the exchange rate that prevailed on the date of opening the Letter of Credit (LC).
This regulation is valid up to the importation of a vehicle or purchasing of a locally-assembled vehicle.
Vehicle Duty Waivers that were granted from November 20, 2015 until May 31, 2017 and vehicles that had received clearance from the Customs on or before May 31, 2017 cannot be transferred to a third party before the lapse of five years, except under the new criteria mentioned in the circular.
The total production tax should be paid by the vehicle permit holder to the customs when buying locally manufactured motor vehicle or imported vehicle.
Tax relief amounts as follows:
The tax payable for vehicles worth of US$ 25,000 or less tax payable amount is 35% and the tax relief is 65%. The tax payable for the vehicles worth of US$ 25,000 or more but not exceeding US$ 30,000 tax payable amount is 40% and the tax relief is 60%, the Ministry said. (Chaturanga Pradeep)