Q1. What are the Harmonized System Codes (H.S.Code) which require imports/exports Control License for importation/exportation?

Please refer below link:

http://www.imexport.gov.lk/index.php/en/hs-code-requiring-licensing.html?view=hs_codes

Or

http://www.customs.gov.lk/business/hsfinder

Q2. What are the documents required to obtain an Imports/Exports Control License (ICL/ECL)?

A. If, Private Limited Company

 Ø  Fully filled IECD (Indent Form) Application

Ø Proforma Invoice

Ø    Recommendation letter of the relevant Authority/ies

 Ø    Form 20 (Should submit only in first time)

 Ø    Article of Association (Should submit only in first time)

 Ø    Certified copies of National Identity Cards of company directors (Should submit only in first time)

Ø    National Identity card of person who apply license and certified copy of identity card

Ø   VAT Certificate (Should submit only in first time, if available. However, it should be submitted as soon as possible once   available)

Ø    TIN Certificate (Should submit only in first time, if available. However, it should be submitted as soon as possible once available)

B. If, a Registered Business (Individual/Partnership)

Fully filled with IECD (Indent Foam) Application Proforma Invoice Recommendation letter from the relevant Authority/ies Business Registration Certificate (BRC) (Should submit only in first time) VAT Certificate (Should submit only in first time, if available. However, it should be submitted as soon as possible once available) TIN Certificate (Should submit only in first time, if available. However, it should be submitted as soon as possible once available) Certified copies of National Identity Card of individual and/or partners National Identity card of person who apply license and certified copy of identity card

C. Personnel (Neither registered Business nor Company)

Fully filled with IECD (Indent Foam) Application Proforma Invoice Recommendation letter from the relevant Authority/ies National Identity Card/ Passport/ Driving License and certified copy of it.

 Q3. What are the Recommending Authorities relevant to the items of the Imports or Exports control items list?

To find recommending authority, Click below link:

http://www.imexport.gov.lk/index.php/en/hs-code-requiring-licensing.html?view=hs_codes

Q4. How much should I pay as Imports & Exports Control license (ICL/ECL) Fees?

The related ICL/ECL Fees are mentioned in below Gazette (Extraordinary) Notifications :

Gazette (Extraordinary) No: 1953/28 dated 11.02.2016 (Main Gazette) Gazette (Extraordinary) No: 1992/74 dated 11.11.2016 (Canned Fish) Gazette (Extraordinary) No: 2039/4 dated 02.10.2017 (Tea import & re-export) Gazette (Extraordinary) No: 2143/36 dated 03.10.2019 (Spices) Gazette (Extraordinary) No: 2152/63 dated 06.12.2019 (Spices) Gazette (Extraordinary) No: 2189/4 dated 17.08.2020 (Covid-19 Gazette) Gazette (Extraordinary) No: 2199/20 dated 29.10.2020 (Sugar)

 Q5. Is it necessary to obtain an ICL for a licensed item to secure release from SL Customs’ Auction?

Yes. Request letter issued by the Port Authority or Sri Lanka customs with recommendation letter issued by relevant authority should be submitted to this department to obtain approval.

  Q6. What are the categories of vehicles for which ICL’s are required?

Used vehicles have been categorized as License item based on their age.

Please refer following two gazette notifications for vehicles categorized as License items. Gazette (Extraordinary) No: 2044/40 dated 09.11.2017 (Main Gazette) Gazette (Extraordinary) No: 2143/36 dated 03.10.2019 (Amendment)

Since, policy on issuance of license for vehicle is changed time to time, please contact Controller (Operation) before apply for License.

 Q7. Can a person employed abroad import the vehicle used by him/her to Sri Lanka?

Since, policy on issuance of license for vehicle is changed time to time, please contact Controller (Operation) before apply for License.

  Q8. Where should I obtain recommendation for importation of Mobile Phone/Communication equipment/ Drones/Remote Control Toys/ Live Animals (Including Cat & Dog) for personal usage?

 Q9. What are the amendments that allowable & Non-Allowable to the ICL/ECL?

Allowable Amendments

Change in Applicant’s Address(Should be submitted adequate evidence) Change in HS Code before doing 1st debiting & importation Change in Foreign supplier’s name before shipment Change in License Value Change in validity period of General License only for 3 times, However, Application for amendment should be submitted during the validity period of the license or within 30 days from expiry date of ICL

Non-Allowable Amendments

Change in Applicant’s name Change in Country of origin Change in Quantity of importations

Q10. What is the maximum no. of foreign suppliers that can be mentioned in an IECD Application?

05Nos. of suppliers (No. of suppliers may be varied based on recommendation of recommending authority.)

 Q11. Is it compulsory to debit an ICL?

Yes

Q12. Is it necessary to notify IECD, if the item has not been imported after obtaining ICL?

Yes

 What are the requirements for Import of a pet to Sri Lanka?

Required documentation / Requirements

Duly completed application Invoice (If necessary only) Approval should be obtained from the Department of Animal Production and Health. National Identity Card or A copy of the Applicant's Passport

 Q13. What is the procedure for Import of a personal vehicle used in a foreign country?

Required documentation / Requirements and Procedures

 Ø Letter of Request for Import License

 Ø Application issued by the Department of Imports and Exports Control
    Application should be duly completed and signed by the Importer with his seal affixed.

 Ø Where the importer is an organization,

     Original and a photocopy of the Business Registration Certificate

Where the importer is an individual, His National Identity Card or Passport and its photocopy

Pro forma Invoice issued by the Exporter or Supplier

Certificate of Cancellation of Registration (De-Registration) of the relevant vehicle and its English translation

Photographs showing front and back side of the vehicle

Bank Accounts Statements to confirm remittance of a sum exceeding US$ 50,000 to Sri Lanka during the last 3 years

Certificates to confirm the relationship between the donor and the recipient

Copies of the Passport and Visa (Dual citizenship, Resident Visa or Work Visa)

Submit the above documents required to obtain the license to the relevant Unit

Make payments to the Shroff using the Paying-in-Voucher issued by the counter with regard to the application approved by the Controller General

Submit the receipt issued for the payment to the Counter

After printing and signing the license, obtain the license from the Counter and its photocopies affixed with the seal confirming the issuance of the license

Q14. How much is the license fee?

Amount payable at the end is different. The minimum rental is Rs. 1000.00

Q15. Normally, how long will it take to complete the whole process?

If all the files are correctly submitted to the department, you can get your license within few hours.

 Q16. How do we get the ICL application?

Download from the website or get from the department counter.