The Government plans to begin simplifying Sri Lanka's import-tax structure from 2027, including the gradual removal of additional levies imposed alongside Customs Duty, according to Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera.
Jayaweera announced the policy intention while speaking at the launch of Sri Lanka Customs' digital-signature and paperless declaration system.
He said the Government intends to streamline the existing tax structure by removing additional taxes imposed alongside Customs Duty.
Similar simplification and digitalisation measures are planned across other State institutions.
The Deputy Minister also referred to plans for a National Single Window system intended to provide businesses and other users with more integrated access to Government services.
He said Sri Lanka Customs was nearing its Rs.2.207 trillion revenue target for 2026.
The announcement represents a potentially significant change to the way imports are taxed.
However, it is currently a Government policy intention rather than an enacted tax change.
The Government has not yet specified in the verified information available for this article exactly which additional import levies would be removed, their future rates, the detailed timetable, any replacement revenue measures, or the Budget and legislative mechanisms required to implement the changes.
Consumers and importers therefore should not interpret the announcement as meaning that existing additional import taxes have already been abolished.
Yesterday's introduction of mandatory digitally signed paperless Customs declarations is a separate, already published operational reform.