Your international move to Sri Lanka, while life changing and exciting,will also require a lot of meticulous planning and proper documentation to ensure a stress-free experience. Whether you’re moving to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean for work, or just a new adventure, you’ll need to be prepared for overseas relocation.
Read on for more information on what to expect when clearing customs in your new home country!
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
No foreign country will allow you to visit, much less live there without the proper documentation. You will also need additional documents when clearing customs in Sri Lanka.
These
important documents should be received well in advance of the arrival of your shipment to avoid any additional charges of demurrage.It is best to hire a customs brokering service for assistance in preparing these documents by their particular deadline. When moving to Sri Lanka, it is advised to get your documents to the Destination Agent at least five days in advance of your shipment.
When moving to Sri Lanka, you will need:
- Passport (copy for each family member)
- Residence Visa (valid for at least one year)
- Blue Card (issued by immigration for duty free exemption)
- Original Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
- Insurance certificate
- Valued inventory
- Packing list in English (without values)
- Power of Attorney (giving Destination Agent authority to arrange customs clearance)
- Bank Guarantee/Deposit (valid for six months, required for ocean shipments over 175 cubic feet)
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
Upon moving to Sri Lanka, you will be faced with various regulations you must abide by to successfully clear customs with your shipment.
Things to keep in mind:
- You must be present at the time of customs clearance
- Unaccompanied baggage declaration must be made at airport
- Household effects may be imported duty free provided you have been abroad for at least one year or more and you have used these goods for at least six months
- Ocean shipments must arrive within three months of your arrival into Sri Lanka, and one month for air shipments
- A refundable customs deposit payable on all shipments
- All shipments will be inspected
- FCL and air shipments must be cleared within three days
- LCL must be cleared after three days of de-stuffing from the container (or it will result in demurrage)
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Most countries have a list of items that are not allowed in the country whatsoever. In Sri Lanka, you cannot import the following items under any circumstance:
- Narcotics and other drugs
- Gold and precious gems
- Pornographic or obscene material
- Explosives, ammunitions and weapons
- Sri Lanka currency over Rs. 250
- Indian and Pakistani currency
- Fruits, plants, vegetables
- Animals, birds, reptiles and parts thereof (unless with an approved Pet Import License
- Heroin (possession carries death penalty)
RESTRICTED ITEMS
When shipping your household goods and personal effects to Sri Lanka, you should also be aware of the numerous items that are subject to duty fees, need special permission, or have limits on quantity. Some of these items include, but may not be limited to:
- Alcohol and tobacco products (subject to port levies, VAT and surcharges)
- Home office files and items (require letter of credit and exchange control approval)
- Home office furniture (require import license, exchange control approval and letter of credit)
- Firearms (require a permit)
- All items in commercial quantity
- All currency (gold, silver, etc.)
- Works of art, antiques and jewelry
- Phones, fax machines and satellite dishes (require import license, exchange control approval, letter of credit and telecommunication approval)
- Pharmaceuticals and medicines (must be for personal use and require a doctor’s prescription)
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
If you’re considering taking your vehicle with you to Sri Lanka, you have to ensure you have the proper documents, and pay any duties or taxes (please note vehicle importation in Sri Lanka is subject to very high duties - petrol vehicles incur 80-90 percent of the auto’s value).
If youplan on shipping your vehicle,you will need:
- Certificate of Title and Registration (original)
- Commercial/Purchase invoice (original)
- Driver’s license and insurance policy
- Vehicle keys
- Import license (must be obtained prior to arrival in Sri Lanka, required for cars over three years old, and vans/trucks over five years old)
- Marine Condition Certificate (issued at origin)
- RMV cancellation Certificate (issued at origin)
When importing your vehicle, be aware:
- Automobile importation carries high duties payable
- All vehicles must be right hand drive (left hand drive autos must be approved by Transport Ministry)
PETS AND ANIMAL REGULATIONS
If you own a pet, you probably wouldn’t want to leave it behind in your overseas trek. In general, animals are prohibited without the proper licensing and documents, so be sure to have the following:
- Certificate of Vaccination
- Health certificate (dated no more than five days prior to arrival in Sri Lanka - must be endorsed by a licensed veterinarian
- Application for Pet Import License (originals only -- must be obtained from the Embassy of Sri Lanka at origin)
- Import License (obtained at the Department of Animal Production and Health, located in Getambe, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)
Quarantine is required for 30 days, typically your new residence, and it is advised that you have your pets accompany you on the same flight. Pets are also subject to duty - a stamp fee of LKR 5.- and customs fee of LKR 250.- for each dog must be paid at arrival.
INTERNATIONAL MOVES
International moves can be exhausting, as they come with numerous expenses and plenty of paperwork. The most important part of your move will be finding full-service international movers and freight forwarders that have proper licensure and insurance, so you can relocate stress-free.
Need help finding international moving companies in your area for your move to Sri Lanka? You can get startedhere atMovers.com by submitting our free quote form,which will connect you with up to seven qualified movers in your area.
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