It is important to know about customs regulations before traveling to Sri Lanka to avoid legal issues and potential fines. As you know, customs regulations widely depend on the country. Before traveling to (or from) Sri Lanka make sure to check the allowance and limits for the next things:
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Currency
- Medicines (especially those containing drugs)
- Animals
- Cultural artifacts
- Plants, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products
Check the information below to be sure that you are complying with Sri Lanka customs regulations.
Import regulations in Sri Lanka
Duty-free allowance
All valuables including jewellery and foreign currency must be declared upon arrival.
For residents of Sri Lanka
Bringing alcohol
- 2 litres of wine;
- 2.5 litres of spirits.
Other Goods
- 250mL perfume.
For visitors to Sri Lanka
Bringing alcohol
- 2 bottles of wine;
- 1.5 litres of spirits.
Other goods
- 250mL Eau de Toilette.
- Small quantity of perfume and souvenirs for personal use with a value not exceeding US$250.
Prohibited items
The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country:
- Articles which bear an imprint or inscription of a religious picture, emblem or title and is derogatory to any religious teachings.
- Any book or pamphlet which contains disparaging and insulting references to any religious teacher or teachings.
- Any newspaper, pamphlet, leaflet or book containing mater calculated to lead to acts made punishable under section 120 of the Penal Code.
- Appliances for discharging gas (unless imported on behalf of the government).
- Chinese crackers considered dangerous by the Collector of Customs.
- Counterfeit currency and goods.
- Fake and disguised guns which may be easily converted into lethal weapons.
- Fish, grain, and other articles in a condition unfit for food and legitimate use, or which may be likely to cause sickness.
- Indecent or obscene prints and other media.
- Japanese shaving brushes.
- Lottery tickets.
- Mattur dhal (Lathyrus Suitvus), otherwise known as Kesari dhal.
- Milk condensed which contains less than 31% of milk solids (including less than 9% of milk fat).
- Swordsticks and other articles which, in the opinion of the Principal Collector of Customs, are so designed or constructed as to disguise the fact that they are capable of being used or adapted for use as knives or swords or other instruments for cutting and stabbing.
- Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Restricted items
These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.
- Beedies and beedy tobacco require a licence issued by the Principal Collector of Customs.
- Eggs may only be imported if they are stamped with the country of origin.
- Medication for venereal disease may only be imported by a registered medical practitioner, a wholesale or retail chemist, or a person who has obtained the written sanction require the purposes of the proviso to section 3 of the Venereal Diseases Ordinance.
- The import of pets is subject to certain restrictions. For further information, please visit the Department of Animal Product and Health - Sri Lanka.
Information has been updated: .