Government announces excise duty on vehicle imports effective from today

11 January 2025 11:35 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 22 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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While issuing a special gazette notification, the government announced an excise duty percentage on all vehicles imported starting in February, following the resumption of vehicle imports after a five-year suspension.

The gazette notification was issued to impose excise duty percentages, effective from today. It was issued by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Economic Development.

Accordingly, excise duties of 200% and 300% have been imposed on vehicles not more than 10 years old from their date of manufacture. Certain categories of vehicles are subject to excise duties based on their engine cylinder capacities and motor power measured in kilowatts.

Comments - 22

Rohan Saturday, 11 January 2025 12:23 PM

Well done Mr. President. Everyone should be dealt fair and square equally and let them know the value of Rs.

4 21

BnW Saturday, 11 January 2025 12:45 PM

Is the pre-election utterence of no more duty concession permits still holds, or is it broken?

2 11

M Fernando Sunday, 12 January 2025 06:52 AM

What about the price of dhal and coconuts ?

0 2

Ara Saturday, 11 January 2025 01:37 PM

Make sure to tax electric vehicles as these will add to grid load.

10 12

Suhada malli Saturday, 11 January 2025 05:01 PM

Actually we should have tax relief for full electric vehicles and only have high taxes for fosil fuel using vehicles.

2 5

Too much pollution from petrol cars Sunday, 12 January 2025 03:41 PM

Every country in the world, but backwards ones encourage for low pollution electric cars. Taxing electrics will only make people import more polluting cars, which is bad for health with the resulting poorer quality air.

1 3

Ram P Saturday, 11 January 2025 02:24 PM

Upto 10 year vehicles are not likely to have much repair free life. The duty for them is too high and government will have to let dealers import spares for them. If the maximim age was kept at 5 years that would have been better

6 26

ronikailadasa Saturday, 11 January 2025 03:37 PM

Clean Sri Lanka will face a huge obstacle as polluted smoke will be released from old vehicles and public will develop respiratory issues. Govt and Private hospitals will may not be able to cope with the influx of patients. Budget for healthcare will be insufficient. Steel Corporation will become profitable with the abundance of scrap mental that will be available.

3 1

Manora Saturday, 11 January 2025 04:14 PM

It is a bad decision to allow vehicles upto 10 year old to come in. What is this nonsense. In Japan, 10 year vehicles could be obtained free of charges. Old vehicles will be flooded and spare parts will be in high demand. In particular, at a time of energy transition, countries want to get rid of their old vehicles lot. This is a poor decision making. Limit at least to 5 years. Old Japanese, Chinese and Indian vehicles will be in Sri Lanka soon. When countries are moving to new vehicles with much more fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly, Sri Lanka is going back. Where is the clean-Sri Lanka now with old vehicles polluting the environment

1 8

Upulpb Saturday, 11 January 2025 05:00 PM

Only 5 year old or less vehicles should be allowed.

1 5

Seeya Saturday, 11 January 2025 06:40 PM

Where in this document does it say 200-300% tax? Please report things correctly and do not say anything that unscrupulous vehicle dealers say.

1 2

Motor Enthisiastic Geriatric Citizen Saturday, 11 January 2025 07:25 PM

Isn't there a ruling that Vehicles older than a certain age [calculated from the date/year of manufacture] are banned imports? Can a person import a 20 year old vehicle?

0 0

Motor Enthisiastic Geriatric Citizen Saturday, 11 January 2025 07:25 PM

Isn't there a ruling that Vehicles older than a certain age [calculated from the date/year of manufacture] are banned imports? Can a person import a 20 year old vehicle?

0 0

Sam Saturday, 11 January 2025 07:51 PM

Let people with dollars import with less tax, they are not taking government dollars out off the country if they buy new cars.

0 9

Man Monday, 13 January 2025 05:05 AM

Yes indeed. No alternatives of the government to increase foreign reserves in lieu of vehicle purchases (particularly private vehicles) so that loan payments can be started conveniently and prevent a crisis as in 2022 since dancing to the tune of Ranil.

0 1

Niroshan Seneviratne Sunday, 12 January 2025 12:42 AM

Second vehicles will be still expensive as these new vehicles will be quite unaffordable to the general public. Only the super rich, drug dealers,and rogue business man can afford at these extremly high prices, if you go lease with these interest rates lease rentals will be very high. Sales volumes will be very low, then with help of customs and RMV again the dirty trade will start in finding loop holes to avoid paying and tax and under valuing vehicle prices.

0 4

Dilshan Perera Sunday, 12 January 2025 03:04 AM

Duty is too low for the foreign reserves to handle on long term basis..

2 2

Man Monday, 13 January 2025 05:03 AM

Yes, no alternatives of the government to increase foreign reserves in lieu of vehicle purchases (particularly private vehicles) so that loan payments can be started conveniently and prevent a crisis as in 2022 since dancing to the tune of Ranil.

0 1

Man Monday, 13 January 2025 05:07 AM

Yes, no alternatives of the government to increase foreign reserves in lieu of vehicle purchases (particularly private vehicles) so that loan payments can be started conveniently and prevent a crisis as in 2022 since dancing to the tune of Ranil.

0 1

sarath gooneratne Sunday, 12 January 2025 07:48 AM

Import of used vehicles up to 10 years old is a good move by a people friendly NPP Government. Even in western countries many cars over 20 years are still running without problems. Even our own English number vehicles presently running in our country are over 25 years old. Hard working honest people in our country who don't take commissions and bribes will be very happy with this decision.

2 3

Perera Sunday, 12 January 2025 08:57 AM

As things are, you can sell a used 2017 Suzuki Swift in SL and with that money converted to NZD buy a B/N Toyota Rav4 in NZ and also have some money to spare too. That's how ridiculously high the car prices are in SL.

1 5

Priyan66 Sunday, 12 January 2025 10:18 AM

Pls allow public transport buses to import low duty so quality buses on roads will benefit general public. No more "Lorry Buses" Please

0 6

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