Gazette notification to specify vehicles permitted for import

Colombo, December 18 (Daily Mirror) - A gazette notification will be issued specifying the types of vehicles permitted for import under the first category, effective from today.

These regulations were made public based on the decision of the Cabinet on September 13, 2024, in Memorandum No. 24/1945/604/208 dated September 12, 2024, titled "Approval for Removal of Temporary Suspension on Importation of Motor Vehicles."

These vehicles, classified under the HS Codes and their corresponding entries as described in the schedule below, shall come into effect starting today, December 18, 2024.

Accordingly, motor vehicles designed to transport ten or more persons, including the driver, under HS code 8702.10, equipped with both a compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel) and an electric motor for propulsion, will be permitted.

It is also permitted to import motor vehicles designed to transport 25 to 35 adults, including the driver, provided the vehicles are not more than ten years old.

Permission has been granted under HS code 8703.10 to import motor cars and other vehicles primarily designed for passenger transport (excluding those classified under heading 87.02), including station wagons and racing cars. Additionally, vehicles specially designed for travelling on snow, golf cars and similar vehicles may also be imported, provided they are not more than three years old. Motor cars, including station wagons and racing cars that are more than three years old are not eligible for import.

Motor cars and other vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, including station wagons and racing cars, with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 1,000 cc, are also permitted.

Under HS heading 87.0, permission is granted for the import of special-purpose motor vehicles, other than those primarily designed for the transport of persons or goods (e.g., breakdown lorries, crane lorries, fire fighting vehicles, concrete mixer lorries, road sweeper lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops and mobile radiological units). These vehicles must not be more than three years old. Crane lorries are also permitted for import under HS code 8705.10.

Gully bowsers equipped with suction pumps for extracting sewage water/wastes are also permitted for import.

Under HS code 8712.00, the import of non-motorised bicycles and other cycles (including delivery tricycles), as well as trailers, semi-trailers and other non-mechanically propelled vehicles, along with their parts, is permitted. Additionally, trailers and semi-trailers of the caravan type, intended for housing or camping, are allowed under HS code 8716.10.

Self-loading or self-unloading trailers and semi-trailers for agricultural purposes are permitted under HS code 8716.20.

An importer who imports a motor vehicle classified under the HS Codes mentioned above, for personal use or for trading purposes, must register the vehicle in the name of the importer if it is for personal use, or in the name of the buyer if it is for trading purposes. The registration must be completed within 90 days from the date of the Bill of Entry (Customs Declaration - CUSDEC) for the vehicle.