Extraordinary Gazette Issued on Vehicle Imports
An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued regarding vehicle imports.
This was by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.
This extraordinary gazette notification has been issued under the provisions of the 1969 Import and Export Control Regulations.
Accordingly, the Director-General of Customs has been authorized to release vehicles for which Letters of Credit were issued under the Import and Export Controller's regulations from December 18, 2024, until January 27 of this year.
Furthermore, vehicle imports are also possible from December 18, 2024, until July 31, 2025.
If an imported motor vehicle is to be sold, it must be registered with the Department of Motor Traffic in the name of the relevant buyer within 90 days.
The gazette states that the importer or buyer must submit relevant documents, including the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), for vehicle registration.
These relaxed import restrictions apply only to a few types of vehicles subject to the import limits under the relevant regulations.
The gazette states that individuals other than vehicle importers registered with the Department of Motor Traffic can only import one vehicle within a period of one year.
If any vehicle importer exceeds the approved number of vehicles by 25% within a 6-month period until December 2025, such an importer will be banned from importing vehicles for a minimum of 3 years.
It is also noteworthy that vehicles imported in violation of the relevant regulations and not in compliance with motor vehicle import regulations must be re-exported by the importer at their own expense within 90 days.
In addition
- Permitted vehicles include: Small vehicles under 1000cc, cabs, 10+ seater passenger transport vehicles, dumpers, milk bowsers (X years or less), and three-wheelers (4 years or less).
- Special purpose vehicles: Fire trucks, crane lorries (between 7-10 years), gully bowsers, and garbage trucks.
- Registered importers: No limit on imports. Others: One vehicle within 12 months.
Written by
Nipuna Marasinghe
