Vehicle importers urge 6-month registration window for regular imports, 1 month for personal

The Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) has urged the government to extend the current three-month vehicle registration period for regular importers to six months, while reducing the registration window for personal imports to one month.

VIAL President Indika Sampath Merinchige said the association has formally requested the authorities to consider the passport delivery date on the customs clearance document, instead of the customs submission date, when calculating the registration period.

He noted that the time taken to clear vehicles from customs is currently counted within the three-month registration window, leaving the importers with limited time to prepare the vehicles for sale. 

“At least one month is usually spent bringing a vehicle to showroom condition after completing several maintenance activities,” he said.

Merinchige also called on the government to set a one-month registration period for personal vehicle imports, noting that such vehicles are not brought in for resale.

He said the association had submitted a detailed proposal to the government ahead of the upcoming budget, aimed at streamlining and regulating the vehicle import process.

Commenting on the current licensing system, Merinchige alleged that the import permits are being misused by unauthorised individuals, resulting in the importation of vehicles in excess of approved limits. (CPS)