Department of Commerce

Who should apply for Residence Visa?

only for competent expatriates, consultants, specialists and their dependents, employed at liaison offices, branch offices or  foreign companies and other commercial ventures that fall outside the purview of the relevant line ministries.

What are the supporting documents that should be submitted to obtain the residence visa?

A list of supporting documents that should be submitted can be downloaded from the website. The applicant has to submit a justification letter and completed curriculum Vitae with the relevant copies of the certificate of academic qualifications and professional achievements together with resident visa form 1.

What information should the applicant know before he applies for the recommendation of residence visa?

• Requests for recommendation of visa must be addressed to the Director General of Commerce accompanied by a justification Letter and completed curriculum vitae with the relevant copies of the certificates of academic qualifications and professional achievements
• The process of request for resident visa must be initiated well in advance. In the cases of renewal of residence visa, process should be stared at least one month prior to the expiry of current visa
• When completing R. V. 1 applicant may use additional papers as required
• Each supporting document should be clearly marked in accordance with the relevant item number. If there are any specific and unique requests, such cases will be considered on case by case basis

What is the time schedule of the DOC for the issuance of COO?

• The Policy Branch of the Department of Commerce accepts the duly completed certificate/s together with the payment receipt for authorization from 9.00 am to 12.15 pm and 12.45pm to 3.00 pm.
• Certificates of origin are generally issued on the same day. However, Certificate/s handed over to the Policy Division between 2.30-3.30pm will be issued on the following day
• The certificates submitted for airfreight consignments are issued on the same day. However, the exporters are advised to submit their certificates before 3.30 pm the latest.

What are the charges for the issuance of COO by the DOC?

Charges for the issuance of certificates of origin are as follows

• Initial registration of companies for certificate of origin - Rs 10,000/- per Company (one time payment)
• Issuance of certificate of origin - Rs 1000/-
• Cancellation of certificate origin and issue a fresh certificate - Rs 1000/- per certificate
• Issue of duplicate of COO - Rs 1000/-
• Issue of True copy of COO - Rs 500/-
• ISFTA TRQC-Rs 500/-

What is a Certificate of Origin?

A Certificate of Origin (COO) is a document which certifies that the products exported are wholly obtained, produced or manufactured in a country of origin. It is generally an integral part of export documents. A Certificate of Origin, apart from indicating the country of origin of the export products, enables the exporting countries to obtain specific import tariff concessions from the importing countries.

Who is the authorized government body to certify the GSP Form ” A” Certificate in Sri Lanka?

The Authorized government body to certify the GSP Form “A” in Sri Lanka is the Department of Commerce, 4th Floor ”Rakshana Mandiriya” No.21 Vauxhall Street, Colombo 02.

Is there a time limit for presentation of GSP Form “A” Certificate?

Yes. A certificate of Origin Form “A” must be submitted within 10 months from the date of issue by the principal (consignee) of the imported country to their customs authority to claim the preferential treatment if it is necessary.

Are there any special origin criteria for apparel products to obtain benefits under the GSP Schemes?

Yes. Under the GSP rules of origin, apparel products should qualify under one of the following origin criteria for preferential treatment.

Double transformation

Under the double transformation criteria, garments products should be manufactured in Sri Lanka from the fiber stage (for knitted items) and yarn stage for (woven items). The value addition will not be considered as a qualification to apply for GSP form “A” on textiles products for the EU. In this case garments manufactured in Sri Lanka by using imported fabric (except from SAARC/ EU) do not qualify to obtain the GSP form “A” certificate

SAARC cumulative of origin

If a product is manufactured in Sri Lanka using imported material/parts originating from a member country of SAARC region, it will qualify for the GSP form “A” certificate. For that, the exporter should submit a copy of GSP form “A” certificate to confirm that material/parts are imported from a member country of SAARC region

Donor country content rule

In this case, if the fabric is imported from a member country of the EU or Norway or Switzerland and the finished product is exported to the same country then the finished product is qualified to get the GSP form “A” for apparel products. However, the exporter should submit a copy EUR form to confirm that fabric is imported from a donor country.

Is there a special letter to be printed in box 8 in the GSP form “A” certificate for wholly obtained product?

Yes. Letter “P” should be printed in box 8 in the GSP form “A” certificate to identify the wholly obtained product. This notation is accepted by all preference-giving countries except Australia and New Zealand. For Australia and New Zealand box 8 may be left blank for wholly obtained products.

What are the wholly Obtained Products that are considered under GSP?

Products, which have been entirely grown, extracted from the soil or harvested within the exporting country or which have been total absence to used imported input in their production.

What is the purpose of having rules of origin under the GSP?

The Rules of Origin exist to identify the Goods produced in the beneficiary countries and to ensure that only those products originating in that country receive preferential treatment.

What is the main documentary evidence for preferential treatment under the GSP?

The main documentary evidence required for receiving preferential treatment under the GSP is the preferential certificate of Origin (GSP Form “A” certificate) which is accepted as evidence of Origin by all preference-giving countries to grant preferential treatment. In order to receive such preferences, the GSP Form “A” must be duly filled by the exporter and officially certified by the authorized government body in that exporter’s country.

Is there any special condition to be met for a consignment under the GSP?

Yes, the exporting product must be transported directly from the beneficiary country to the preference - giving country or from the preference - giving country to the beneficiary country, together with documentary evidence for the direct transit. If the product is passing through the territory of a third country, the exporter has to submit the document of evidence to the customs authorities of the relevant preference giving country other than the Liner/ House Bill of Lading.

Are all products eligible for preferential tariff treatment under the GSP?

Not all products are eligible for preferential treatment under the GSP. The exporter must therefore determine, before he proceeds further, whether his goods are eligible for preference in his target market. To do this he must examine the product lists under the relevant preferential agreement and determine by reference to the precise tariff classification and product description of his goods, whether they are eligible for preferential treatment.

What is GSP (Generalized System of Preferences)?

GSP is a system of tariff preferences in favor of developing countries brought into effect in 1972, as part of a concerted international effort by industrialized countries to assist developing countries to expand their exports and thus increase their foreign exchange earnings