Sri Lanka Customs Tariff · 2026
Sri Lanka Import Tariff
& Duty Calculator
Type any product in plain English - get the HS code, the full import tariff, all 7 tax layers and FTA savings instantly. Every code in the 2026 NITG.
FIRST IN SOUTH ASIA
In 1980, CSC became the first South Asian carrier to run container services to Europe, launching Colombo’s rise as a regional transshipment hub.
FIRST NATIONAL FLAG
MV Lanka Sagarika - delivered February 1972 - became the very first vessel officially registered and sailing under the Sri Lankan flag.
THE PIONEER VESSEL
The Ceylon Shipping Corporation's first ship, MV Lanka Rani, inaugurated the first liner service between Ceylon and the UK/Continent in 1971.
LONGEST-SERVING LEGENDS
MV Lanka Muditha (1982) and MV Lanka Mahapola (1983) - the absolute workhorses - served well into the 2010s, beloved by every port professional over 40.
LLOYD'S STAR PERFORMER
Throughout the 1990s, CSC’s operational excellence earned the prestigious Star Performer Award from Lloyd’s of London and Freight Liner UK.
COLOMBO BREAKWATER — 1900–1910
The North Breakwater under construction at the turn of the century, realising Sir John Coode’s 1872 vision. This engineering feat transformed Colombo into one of the great harbours of the East.
COODE’S HARBOUR — 1878
The Earl of Carnarvon first proposed an artificial harbour in 1866. By 1872, Sir John Coode — the century’s most distinguished harbour engineer — drew plans enclosing 500 acres. This map is from his surveys, 1878–1896.
Tools
Everything you need to import smarter
CusDec Builder
Multi-item VDF calculator. Set Incoterms, override freight per item, export your customs declaration.
Exchange Rates
Gazette rates. 50 currencies, updated weekly.
8,952
HS codes
Plain English search, AI classification, full tariff details.
Duty Calculator
Enter CIF value, get the full stacked duty breakdown in LKR.
Calculate →Browse by Chapter
All 97 HS chapters. Drill into any category.
Browse all →How it works
From product name to landed cost
Describe your product
Type "phone cases" or "toyota aqua 2019" - no HS code knowledge needed. Our AI search finds the right classification.
Get the full breakdown
See all 7 stacking taxes: Customs Duty, PAL, Cess, Excise, SCL, SSCL, and VAT - each calculated on the correct base.
Find FTA savings
Importing from India? That 20% duty might drop to 0% under ISFTA. We surface every trade agreement that saves you money.
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All 97 HS chapters
About
What is tariff.lk?
tariff.lk is a free Sri Lanka import tariff search and duty calculator. Search any product in plain English or enter an HS code to get the full 2026 tariff breakdown - all 7 stacking tax layers (Customs Duty, PAL, CESS, Excise, SCL, SSCL and VAT) plus FTA preferential rates under ISFTA (India), PSFTA (Pakistan), APTA (China, South Korea, Thailand) and SAFTA. All 8,952 codes from the Sri Lanka National Imports Tariff Guide 2026 edition.
Don't get caught out
18.4% of items need a permit.
Find out before your shipment arrives.
1,646 tariff lines require an Import Control License (ICL) or SLSI certification. Without one, your container sits at Colombo Port at $100–300/day while you scramble.
Check your productImport guide
Questions every importer asks
What is an HS code?▾
An HS code (Harmonised System code) is a standardised international product classification number used by customs authorities worldwide. In Sri Lanka, HS codes are 10 digits - the first 6 follow the international standard, the last 4 are Sri Lanka-specific. Every imported good must be declared with its HS code on the Customs Declaration (CusDec).
How is import duty calculated in Sri Lanka?▾
Sri Lanka import duty is applied in 7 stacking layers: Customs Import Duty (CID), Ports & Airports Levy (PAL), CESS, Excise/SPD, Special Commodity Levy (SCL), Social Security Contribution (SSCL), and VAT (18%). Each layer is calculated on a different base, with VAT applied last on the full cumulative total. Use the Duty Calculator to get an exact breakdown for any HS code.
What taxes apply to imports in Sri Lanka?▾
Most imports are subject to: Customs Import Duty (CID), PAL (7.5%), CESS (varies), Excise/SPD (for vehicles, alcohol, tobacco), SSCL (2.5%), and VAT (18%). Some goods also attract the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) - mainly fuels, rice, wheat and sugar. The exact combination depends on the HS code.
Does Sri Lanka have free trade agreements?▾
Yes. Sri Lanka has active Free Trade Agreements with India (ISFTA - the most impactful, covering many goods at 0% duty), Pakistan (PSFTA), and participates in APTA (with China, South Korea and Thailand) and SAFTA (South Asian LDC nations). Singapore also has a bilateral FTA. FTA rates are shown on every HS code page and in the Duty Calculator.
How often is the Sri Lanka tariff updated?▾
The main tariff schedule (National Imports Tariff Guide) is typically updated annually by gazette notification. Duty rates for specific goods can change mid-year via Extraordinary Gazette - particularly for vehicles, fuel, and essential items. tariff.lk reflects the 2026 edition. Exchange rates used for duty calculation are updated weekly from the gazette.