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

Details
Category: DoC FAQ
Is my product eligible for duty concessions under PSFTA?

Is my product eligible for duty concessions under PSFTA?

You can identify the eligibility of the product for duty concessions under PSFTA by following these steps:
I.    Obtain the HS code relevant for the product from D branch of Sri Lanka Customs
II.   Check whether the HS code is NOT in the Table III of the list    available         http://www.doc.gov.lk/images/pdf/our_services/psfta/duty_Concession/SRO575I2017.pdf
III.  If it is not in Table III, the product is eligible for duty concessions.
I.    Check whether the product complies eligibility criteria. You may check eligibility criteria http://www.doc.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88&Itemid=213&lang=en
II.   Alternatively, you may contact the DOC with relevant HS code to obtain this information.
 
 
When the authenticity of the CoO is questioned by the Customs authorities of Pakistan what can I do?

When the authenticity of the CoO is questioned by the Customs authorities of Pakistan what can I do?

 The DOC can verify the authenticity of the CoO by issuing a letter to the Customs authorities of Pakistan. You may send a letter to this DOC via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. requesting for a verification letter. Kindly provide the following information in your email:
 
I.               Certificate of Origin number (COM/PSFTA/2021/......)
 
II.             Date of issuance
 
III.           Email address and the contact number of the relevant Customs Officer in Pakistan (if available)
 
What is the level of utilization of Export Tea Quota under Pakistan-SL FTA?

What is the level of utilization of Export Tea Quota under Pakistan-SL FTA?

 Under the Pakistan Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA), Sri Lanka can export 10,000 MTs of tea per annum at zero customs duty. It is observed that the utilization of the tea quota has become negligible in recent years. The quota utilization rate which was at 34.71% in 2005/06 has decreased to 0.25% in 2019/20.
 

Details
Category: DoC FAQ
What is the type of an Agreement is it supposed to sign with Bangladesh?

What is the type of an Agreement is it supposed to sign with Bangladesh?

During the state visit of Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh, the two leaders reiterated their commitment for an early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between two countries. As the first step towards the FTA, it was agreed to sign a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) beginning with a short list of products. According, the current negotiations are aiming at concluding a PTA.

When will the current negotiations with Bangladesh conclude?

When will the current negotiations with Bangladesh conclude?

It is scheduled to conclude the current negotiations and sign a Preferential Trade Agreement with Bangladesh in early 2022.

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Details
Category: DoC FAQ
Is there any improved market access under Japanese new GSP scheme?

Is there any improved market access under Japanese new GSP scheme?

Japan has implemented its next cycle of GSP scheme with effect from 1st April 2021. Scheme has not changed much from the previous one in terms of structure as well as concessions.

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Details
Category: DoC FAQ
How do I check the eligibility under ISFTA for my export products to India?

How do I check the eligibility under ISFTA for my export products to India?

 
 I.            Visit http://www.indiantradeportal.in/index.jsp
 
II.           Enter HS Code
 
III.          Identify HS code and select ''Import''
 
IV.           Select product
 
 V.           Select country
 
VI.          Tariff results will appear
 
·       If "no preference" is mentioned, the product is not eligible under ISFTA
 
·       If it is eligible under ISFTA, the applicable tariff under ISFTA will appear
How do I check the applicable duty under ISFTA for my export product to India?

How do I check the applicable duty under ISFTA for my export product to India?

 
I.               Visit http://www.indiantradeportal.in/index.jsp
 
II.             Enter HS Code
 
III.           Identify HS code and select ''Import'
 
IV.           Select product
 
V.             Select country
 
VI.           Applicable duty under ISFTA will appear
 
What is the procedure of obtaining a CoO for Spices and Allied products under ISFTA?

What is the procedure of obtaining a CoO for Spices and Allied products under ISFTA?

 
Pl, visit below ling for details
 
 
Can I make amendments to the Affidavit issued for wholly obtained products after it was attested by a Justice of Peace or an Attorney/ Lawyer?

Can I make amendments to the Affidavit issued for wholly obtained products after it was attested by a Justice of Peace or an Attorney/ Lawyer?

 
No, once a JP attested an affidavit no amendments can be made. There is no legal validity of an affidavit to which amendments have been made after the JP's attestation. If there are changes of the facts included in an affidavit, a fresh affidavit should be submitted accordingly.
 
What should I do when the Indian Customs Officers are refusing to accept the CoO issued by the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka (DOC)?

What should I do when the Indian Customs Officers are refusing to accept the CoO issued by the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka (DOC)?

 
The DOC will issue a verification letter confirming the genuineness of the said CoO/s. The exporter should make a written request to DOC via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. together with
 
I.               Copy of the CoO
 
II.             Copy of B/L
 
III.           Email address of relevant Customs House (if available)
 
Is it mandatory to obtain an ISFTA CoO prior to On -Board Date of the shipment?

Is it mandatory to obtain an ISFTA CoO prior to On -Board Date of the shipment?

 
To minimize the number of obstacles faced by exporters especially at the customs clearance points in India, we are encouraging exporters to obtain CoOs only at the time of exportation (prior to on board date), and “Retrospective Issue of CoOs” is not allowed.
 
What are the HS Codes eligible for ISFTA Apparel Quota?

What are the HS Codes eligible for ISFTA Apparel Quota?

 
HS Chapter 61 and 62
 
Which companies are eligible for the ISFTA Apparel Quota?

Which companies are eligible for the ISFTA Apparel Quota?

 
Apparel Exporting Companies which have registered under ISFTA Apparel Quota and received the allocation of ISFTA Apparel Quota through Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka
 
What is the total number of pieces available for the ISFTA Apparel Quota per year for zero duty benefit?

What is the total number of pieces available for the ISFTA Apparel Quota per year for zero duty benefit?

 
8 million pieces
 
What is the level of utilization of 8mn Apparel Quota under ISFTA?

What is the level of utilization of 8mn Apparel Quota under ISFTA?

Year  Utilization % from 8 Mn. Pieces 
 2008  9.89
2009   13.54
2010   36.50
2011 47.68
2012 46.83
2013 49.77
2014 55.18
2015 73.09
2016 95.44
2017 99.99
2018 100.00
2019 95.78
2020 43.59

 

What is the % of preferential exports and imports under Indo-Sri Lanka FTA?

What is the % of preferential exports and imports under Indo-Sri Lanka FTA?

 
In 2020, 60% of Sri Lanka’s exports were under the FTA, while only 5% Indian imports were under the FTA route.