Shippers’ Council urges government to hold Customs accountable for actions

Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council yesterday welcomed the assurance from Sri Lanka Customs that all containers will be cleared by today. 
However, the Council expressed frustration that consumers ultimately bear the heavy cost of the “Go Slow” campaign and therefore Sri Lanka Customs must be held accountable.

“The delays caused have now been addressed with a promise to clear the backlog, which is good. But what about the additional costs incurred by importers? These costs will be passed on to consumers, increasing the per kilo price of products,” said Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council Chairman Sean Van Dort to Mirror Business. 

For years, the private sector has urged the government to hold Sri Lanka Customs accountable for actions that severely impact trade. Despite these appeals, their concerns remain ignored. Customs officers have never faced wage cuts for their actions.

Industry stakeholders have repeatedly highlighted that Customs officers prioritise their convenience over timely clearance, adding to the challenges of doing business in Sri Lanka. 

Starting work late, taking extended lunch and tea breaks, and signing off early have become common practices.
To-date, no successive government has managed to install fingerprint systems for Sri Lanka Customs. Customs officers are not held accountable for delays, leaving importers to bear storage costs. Any containers not cleared within three days incur charges, even if the delay is due to a Customs slowdown.
Van Dort emphasised that the continued neglect of efficiency and productivity issues within Sri Lanka Customs undermines business confidence in the country.

“They should be held accountable. We go the extra mile to ensure containers are cleared on time to avoid additional costs. Despite our efforts, we end up paying the price because Customs officers are never held accountable,” asserted Van Dort.

He suggested that Sri Lanka Customs be given a timeline, with a maximum of two days to inspect a container. Any delay beyond this period should come from their reward fund.
“Currently, regardless of their work pace, they face no consequences. If this timeline is enforced, they will work round the clock. In the private sector, failing to work on time and deliver results lead to penalties. Customs officers must be held to the same standard,” Van Dort stressed. (SAA)