Govt. imposes 50% Custom duty surcharge on vehicle imports

16 May 2026 01:29 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 15 Bookmark

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Colombo, May 16 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Finance has decided to levy a 50% surcharge on the prevailing Customs import duties applicable to all imported vehicles, effective immediately from today (May 16).

The directive was formalised through a Gazette Extraordinary notification issued under the signature of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.

According to the gazette, this substantial 50% surcharge will remain operational for a temporary duration of three months.

Crucially, the newly introduced 50% surcharge will not apply to any imported vehicles for which Letters of Credit (LCs) were established on or prior to May 15.

Comments - 15

Dr. Dee esquire Saturday, 16 May 2026 08:30 AM

Now what will happen to the 1.2 million brand new Vitz and the ‘Japun’ bikes? Ammapa!

1 6

Sam Saturday, 16 May 2026 08:41 AM

This is the beginning of the end of this government! How far are they going to tax the citizens?

1 10

Kevin Saturday, 16 May 2026 09:44 AM

All this govt knows is to import taxes and more of them

1 5

Jeff Saturday, 16 May 2026 10:07 AM

They know quite well that Dobi's are there to defend anything. So freely looting the public now.

1 8

Lion Saturday, 16 May 2026 10:35 AM

It is a good decision at this hour of grave crisis.

7 2

Dr WATAWALA Saturday, 16 May 2026 11:26 AM

very good thanks AKD we cannot even cross the main road too much trafic , vehicles kill people

7 2

Nihal Perera Saturday, 16 May 2026 11:33 AM

Do we need any more vehicles to our country? The little money we had, the government started importing vehicles and now our foreign reserves are in acute shortage and the rupee is sliding at a rate. We import from salt to anything that is possible and only now the government has come out from the coma.

0 1

Lokka Saturday, 16 May 2026 02:40 PM

Timely decision before dollar reach the sky

4 3

JOSHUA Saturday, 16 May 2026 09:02 PM

very good news thank you AKD

4 3

Nimal R Saturday, 16 May 2026 10:52 PM

This is a good move to stop further deterioration of foreign reserves in spite of false promises given by the NPP that everyone would be able to buy a new car such as Vitz for a reasonable price. When no new investments are coming, exports are reducing, need to restrict imports using tariff hikes.

2 4

Kandy man Sunday, 17 May 2026 12:35 AM

It should have been done much earlier, when it is shown that the middle east conflict is continuing.

3 4

Gokula Siripathiarachchi Sunday, 17 May 2026 03:12 AM

This is nonsense. How can policy like this be implemented at such short notice. Its unfortunate looks like the hard left marxist nature of this government is finally showing true colours

3 4

Jude Sunday, 17 May 2026 03:30 AM

In Colombo City and suburbs way too much vehicles on the road. Implement toll charge for all vehicles (except buses) entering the Colombo city limits.

4 3

Lankaputha Sunday, 17 May 2026 05:23 AM

Or should the road network develop Civilised drivers High penalties for reckless driving Improve public transport Many other options....

2 2

Pradeep Sunday, 17 May 2026 05:48 AM

The import of personal vehicles should be banned for a certain period, at least until the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is resolved. It is crucial to conserve USD for the import of essential commodities. Even countries with relatively stable economies, such as India, have implemented numerous measures to safeguard their foreign exchange reserves. Therefore, given our current bankrupt economic condition, the need for such restrictions is even more critical.

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