Date of issue: 06 May 2020
Date of effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA2020-07
Attention:
- Industries - Industry Bodies – Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC)
- Exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment—Central and Regional offices
Purpose
To notify exporters of the change in Sri Lanka’s import regulations affecting non-prescribed goods.
Summary of key points
- The Government of Sri Lanka has released an extraordinary gazette notification (no. 2171/5) (https://www.chamber.lk/images/COVID19/pdf/ImportExportControlactamedment.pdf) on 16 April 2020 to notify the implementation of temporary measures against the import of certain agricultural products including non-prescribed goods. The measures include temporary suspension of import of listed commodities.
- Under these temporary measures, Sri Lankan Customs and commercial banks are obliged to suspend from 16 April 2020 to 15 July 2020 the facilitation of importation of the commodities listed in Schedule I of the Gazette. These include sugar confectionary, chocolate, food preparations of flour, groats, meal starch or malt extract, pasta, prepared food containing cereal, bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, waters, beer, vinegar and essential oils.
- For commodities identified in Schedule I, the Sri Lankan government will not allow entry until 15 July 2020.
- Australian exporters are advised to cease sending products until 15 July 2020. In the meantime, exporters are encouraged to work with their importers to investigate what options may be available to them.
- The notification also directs commercial banks to only facilitate the importation of commodities listed in Schedule II through credit facility which defers payment of these imports from 16 April 2020 to 15 July 2020. Commodities listed in Schedule II include palm oil, sunflower seed, safflower or cotton-seed oil.
- For commodities identified in Schedule II, there is no suspension in trade. However, the department understands that there may be some restrictions on payment until 15 July 2020. The department can continue to issue certification during this period.
- Australian exporters are encouraged to work with their importers regarding commercial arrangements for payments.
Background
- In response to the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Lankan government has implemented temporary measures to alleviate the pressure on their exchange rate and the financial markets.
- Under these measures, the Sri Lankan government has directed its Customs and commercial banks to suspend the facilitation of importation of items stipulated in Schedule I of Gazette Notification No. 2171/05. Commercial banks are also directed to facilitate the importation of commodities stipulated in the Schedule II of the Gazette only on a credit basis.
Further information
Contact Export Standards if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.