Showcasing Sri Lankan culinary excellence at the Embassy Chef Challenge in Washington DC
Brief Report on “Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams” held on 08th March 2024, Hilton Hotel, Dubai, UAE
Towards a digital Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC hosts an interactive discussion
Sri Lanka Tourism shines bright in Tunisia
Sri Lanka Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA )
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion event in Alexandria Governorate
SRI LANKA SHINES BRIGHT AT VIETNAM EXPO 2023: INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR FUTURE COLLABORATION
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Viet Nam participates in the International Food Festival 2023
Products of Sri Lankan SMEs enthrall and fascinate Vietnamese in Ha Noi

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Vision

“Raising living standards of the people through international trade relations”

Mission

“To develop and promote Sri Lanka’s foreign trade relations at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels by the effective implementation of government trade policy, with a view to raising the standards of living and realizing a higher quality of life through the increase of total production, income and employment levels, thereby actively contributing to the overall economic growth of Sri Lanka.”

Department of Commerce

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Category: DoC FAQ
What is REX Registration and how do I apply?

What is REX Registration and how do I apply?

 
Registered Exporter system (the REX system) is a self-certification system introduced by the EU that applies in the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) of the European Union since 1st January 2017. The system enables exporters themselves to make out statements on origin which replaced the Certificate of Origin requirement. To be entitled to make out a statement on origin, an exporter needs to be registered in the REX system and to have a valid registration. This system only applies to exports under the GSP to the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Turkey.
 
How to Apply
 
A company must be registered with the Department of Commerce, before applying for REX Registration.
 
Steps
 
1. Complete the pre application (online application) via https://conformance.customs.ec.europa.eu/rex-pa-ui/
 
2. Submit a hard copy/scanned copy of the completed pre-application (after company authorization in cage 5&6) to the Department together with TIN certificate and necessary supporting documents (Updated Cost Statements/Affidavit/Material Sheet), depending on the type of the product
 
3. REX Registration
 
After scrutinizing the documents, the department will register the company under the REX system and issue the REX registration document to the exporter for company /exporter authorization.
 
4. Department authorization
 
5. Issuance of authorized documents to the exporter
Was there any impact on Sri Lanka’s exports to EU from 2010-2017 after withdrawal of GSP+?

Was there any impact on Sri Lanka’s exports to EU from 2010-2017 after withdrawal of GSP+?

 
Immediately after withdrawal of GSP+, the preferential exports to EU have shown a gradual decline since 2013. From 2013 preferential exports had been in increasing trend. By 2017, preferential exports to EU was at original level of 2010. However, GSP+ Utilization rate has been continuously declined from 73% in 2010 to 55% in 2017.
 
 

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Category: DoC FAQ
What is the average time taken for an application?

What is the average time taken for an application?

Up to 3 months

What is the renewal period?

What is the renewal period?

Generally, it is after 3 years, but depends on the stipulated date in the gazette notification.

Does the Department of Commerce issue a certificate when declaring a financial related institution as a Credit Agency?

Does the Department of Commerce issue a certificate when declaring a financial related institution as a Credit Agency?

No.

What is the proof of declaring a financial related institution as a Credit Agency?

What is the proof of declaring a financial related institution as a Credit Agency?

The Gazette notification declaring a financial related institution as a Credit Agency.

What are the relevant Acts for declaring a financial related institution as a Credit Agency?

What are the relevant Acts for declaring a financial related institution as a Credit Agency?

Mortgage Act No. 6 of 1949, the Trust Receipt Ordinance No. 12 of 1947 and the Inland Trust Receipts Act No 14. of 1990.

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Details
Category: DoC FAQ
What is a Certificate of Origin?

What is a Certificate of Origin?

It is an international trade document which certifies that goods that an exporter is shipping are originating in the exporter’s country. A product is considered originating if it is wholly obtained in a country, or produced, manufactured or processed in the exporting country with sufficient local value addition.
Certificates of origin can be classified into two types: preferential and non-preferential.
A preferential certificate of origin is issued confirming the origin of goods in a particular shipment according to a particular trade agreement. When presented to the importing country’s Customs authorities, the accompanying goods can enter the market duty free or with preferential duties, depending on the Agreement. This COO is issued by the Department of Commerce.
Non-preferential certificates of origin are issued where importing countries request an origin document for reasons other than giving duty waivers. This may be statistical purposes, health or technical standards, or where certain countries are facing increased punitive duties, to differentiate between those countries. No duty preferences attach to this type of certificated. Non-preferential COOs are issued by the Chambers of Commerce.
For which countries can I apply for COOs?

For which countries can I apply for COOs?

 
All SAARC countries under the ISFTA, PSFTA, SAFTA
 
China, India, Korea, Bangladesh and Laos under the APTA Trade Agreements.
 
Forty-two countries under the GSTP Agreement, namely Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Cuba, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe, and Mercosur.
 
COOs are also available for the following countries which provide unilateral preferences to Sri Lanka: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Eurasian Economic Commission countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia), US and Japan under the various GSP Agreements
 
In addition, EU, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey also provide preferences under the GSP arrangements, but these benefits are obtainable under the self-declaration system known as REX (for more details, see below)
How do I obtain a COO?

How do I obtain a COO?

 
First, companies need to get registered in the Department of Commerce as an exporter after getting confirmation from the Department on eligibility of the product (see below for more details).   This is a one-time registration.
 
Once the Registration is complete, then companies should apply for approval of certain standard documents which confirm that their products are eligible and meet the rules of origin.  These documents are cost statements, affidavits or material sheets depending on the product and the applicable rules of origin.  Once approved, these documents will be valid for six months to one year.
Companies should then apply for a COO for each shipment. 
How do I check whether my product qualifies for the required rule of origin?

How do I check whether my product qualifies for the required rule of origin?

 
An exporter can formally apply for a determination on its product by submitting cost statements, affidavits, material sheets, for review and approval. An exporter can also seek the assistance of the Department on rules of origin, whether their product meets the rules of origin, advice on the production process and imported materials, through informal consultations prior to submitting documents for approval
What is a cost statement and how should I prepare one?

What is a cost statement and how should I prepare one?

 
A cost statement or cost sheet is a document which is prepared by the exporter/manufacturer, which provides a breakdown of total costs incurred, per unit for the product for which the exporter wishes to obtain COOs. This document helps the Department determine whether the product meets the required value addition to be declared as of Sri Lankan origin.
 
The cost statement should generally which is composed of direct and indirect expenses.
 
The cost breakdown should include the following:
 
I) imported materials from third countries
 
II) imported materials from countries which are part of the trade agreement
 
III) local materials
 
IV) direct costs and other overheads associated with the production (e.g. labor, electricity, water)
 
V) profit
 
Costs should be mentioned in CIF value and final price of the product should be mentioned in FOB/Ex-Factory price of the product depending on the agreement. Exporters may use the relevant formats provided for each Agreement on the Department website to prepare the cost statement.
 
Cost statements should be certified by a Chartered Accountant and be accompanied by all supporting documents such as commercial invoices, import CUSDECS, bills, etc.
What is the validity period of a cost statement, affidavit and material sheet?

What is the validity period of a cost statement, affidavit and material sheet?

 
One (01) Year.
 
Before the end of the validity period a company should renew their cost statement, affidavit and material sheet.
How do I check whether my product qualifies for concessions?

How do I check whether my product qualifies for concessions?

 
Exporters can search for eligibility of the products through the list of eligible products given in the Department website under each relevant trade Agreement. Alternatively, exporters can call and request the assistance of the COO Division of the Department to see whether their products are eligible.In addition, exporters may refer the external or may use the Market Access tool maintained by the International Trade Center at the following: www.macmap.org.
What are rules of origin and why do they apply to me?

What are rules of origin and why do they apply to me?

 
Rules of origin are the criteria needed to determine the national source/origin of a product, and vary based on the trade agreement. Rules of origin include:
 
I) a requirement that a certain level of value addition has to be carried out in the exporting country
 
II) a requirement that imported materials undergo a substantial change, determined by changes in HS Codes
 
III) a combination of both
 
Rules of origin are introduced to ensure that only products legitimately produced by an exporting country which is a Party to Agreement, benefits from the duty concessions, and not products from other countries. For example, imported products which undergo no value addition or transformation, cannot obtain a COO or be re-exported under a trade agreement.
 
Exporters wishing to export products to a country under an Agreement must ensure that their products comply with these rules of origin.
 
The Department will determine whether products meet the rules of origin by examining documents such as cost statements, doing factory visits, reviewing production processes, etc.
If my product is not eligible under the preferential trade agreement, then how can I apply for a CoO?

If my product is not eligible under the preferential trade agreement, then how can I apply for a CoO?

 
Exporters can apply for a non- preferential CoO through the Chambers of Commerce. Ex: National Chamber of Commerce, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, etc.
When should I contact DoC with respect to any problems clearing my shipment?

When should I contact DoC with respect to any problems clearing my shipment?

 
The exporter can contact the DoC if there is a problem relating to clearing a shipment, when such problem arises as a result of the COO, such as verification issue, non-acceptance, by the Customs of the importing authority.The Department will try to assist the exporter as much as possible to clear the shipment, in consultation with the Customs authorities, or through verification letters, or through consultation with Sri Lanka Missions in the importing country.
How can I obtain more information on obtaining COOs?

How can I obtain more information on obtaining COOs?

 
For more information, please contact the COO Division of the Department of Commerce:
 
Department of Commerce
 
Ground Floor, 492 R.A. de Mel Mawatha
 
Colombo 03
 
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Phone:  General COO inquiries     - 0778489678
 
           TRQC Inquiries               - 0767485364
 
 

Details
Category: DoC FAQ
How many countries and in which countries Commercial Officers are stationed?

How many countries and in which countries Commercial Officers are stationed?

The Commercial Representation of the Department of Commerce comprises of 32 DoC officers serving in Sri Lanka’s Missions/Posts abroad in 27 countries. For more details, please refer www.doc.gov.lk

How can I find their contact details?

How can I find their contact details?

Through the website of Department of Commerce, www.doc.gov.lk – Contact Us- Commercial Officers Overseas

How can I obtain their assistance?

How can I obtain their assistance?

By contacting them directly or through the DOC

What are their main responsible areas?

What are their main responsible areas?

The main functions of the Commercial officers under the commercial diplomacy initiative include promotion of Sri Lanka’s exports, attracting Foreign Direct investments and tourism promotion in their respective host/accredited countries

Trade Inquiries and Complaints

How the DOC can assist Sri Lankan exporters/ importers with regard to trade complaints against foreign counter parties?

How the DOC can assist Sri Lankan exporters/ importers with regard to trade complaints against foreign counter parties?

DOC can facilitate Sri Lankan exporters/importers to find an amicable settlement to the trade disputes with foreign trading partners, in coordination with Sri Lanka’s Missions/Posts located in the respective foreign country/ies.

Trade complaints shall be submitted to the department through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or sent via registered post along with all the relevant supporting documents.

How the DOC can assist foreign exporters/importers with regard to trade complaints against Sri Lankan counter parties?

How the DOC can assist foreign exporters/importers with regard to trade complaints against Sri Lankan counter parties?

The department can facilitate foreign exporters/importers to find an amicable settlement to trade disputes by contacting the relevant Sri Lankan trading partners.

How the DOC can assist Sri Lankan exporters in finding suitable foreign buyers?

How the DOC can assist Sri Lankan exporters in finding suitable foreign buyers?

Exporter/s can submit a request to the DoC along with the company profile/s of the exporter/s.   Once it is received, the DOC will make arrangements to provide the required information.

Exporters can directly contact the officers of the DOC stationed in Sri Lanka’s overseas Missions/Posts and obtain the required information. Contact details of the officers are available on the website of the department. (http://www.doc.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=181&Itemid=220&lang=en)

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