Sri Lanka: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 3 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Sri Lanka.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Sri Lanka in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Sri Lanka may still be on a list.

Check a shipment to Sri Lanka →

On the sanctions lists

3 entries on the official lists name Sri Lanka — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	2	2	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Sri Lanka recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Sri Lanka: logistics and trade

Transshipment hub / island economy

Sri Lanka (LK) is an island nation in the Indian Ocean south of India and serves as the main transshipment platform for the Indian subcontinent. The country belongs to SAFTA and APTA, holds bilateral free trade agreements with India, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand, and benefits from GSP+ preferences for exports to the EU. Customs clearance runs electronically through ASYCUDA World at Sri Lanka Customs; import VAT is 18 percent, plus para-tariff levies (PAL, SSCL, CESS). Key gateways are the Port of Colombo — one of South Asia's leading transshipment hubs with over 8 million TEU in 2025 — together with Hambantota, Trincomalee and Galle, and Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at Katunayake for air cargo. Inland, the E01 Southern Expressway, the E03 airport expressway and the A1 Colombo–Kandy road link the economic centres, with rail lines from Colombo to Kandy, Galle and Jaffna. Main exports are tea, apparel, rubber and coconut products, shipped chiefly to the US, UK and India; imports such as petroleum products and machinery come mainly from India and China.

Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Population: 21,763,170
Area: 65,610 km²
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Continent: Asia
Region: South Asia / Indian Ocean
Economic area: SAARC / APTA / SAFTA / BIMSTEC
Religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road · Rail

Current situation: Port of Colombo under congestion pressure: traffic rerouted from the Middle East/Red Sea is driving transshipment volumes, berth waiting times of 2–3 days and overloaded yards; some shipping lines are diverting (press basis May/June 2026). CWIT (Adani) in operation since April 2025. 18 percent VAT on cross-border digital services since 1.4.2026. (As of 2026-07-28)
Seasonal conditions: Two monsoon seasons: south-west monsoon May to September, north-east monsoon December to February; risk of heavy rain, flooding and temporary disruptions to port and road operations.

Main seaports

Colombo
Colombo (LK CMB), South Asia's largest transshipment port: 4.44M TEU in H1 2026 (+11.9%), 84.7% relay cargo. CICT, SAGT and the automated CWIT terminal.
Hambantota
Hambantota International Port (LKHBA): Sri Lanka's fast-growing deep-water hub for containers, vehicles and bunkering, run by China Merchants Port Holdings.
Trincomalee Harbor
Trincomalee (LK TRR): natural deep-water port in Sri Lanka for oil, cement, grain and dry bulk. Not a container port — boxes via Colombo.
Galle Harbor
Galle (LK GAL): Sri Lanka's oldest natural harbour, now fishing, yachts and cruise. Minor freight relevance — use Colombo or Hambantota.

Main cargo airports

Bandaranaike International Colombo AirportCMB
Bandaranaike International (CMB), Colombo: new terminal doubles capacity to 500,000+ t, SriLankan Cargo, cold chain and the nearby Port of Colombo.
Mattala Rajapaksa International AirportHRI
Mattala Rajapaksa (HRI) near Hambantota: record passengers in 2025 but virtually no air cargo – freight from southern Sri Lanka routes via Colombo (CMB).

Road corridors

E01 Southern Expressway (Colombo-Matara/Hambantota)
E03 Colombo-Katunayake Expressway (airport)
A1 Colombo-Kandy

Rail corridors

Main Line Colombo-Kandy-Badulla
Coastal Line Colombo-Galle-Matara
Northern Line Colombo-Jaffna

Main trade lanes

Sri Lanka-India
Sri Lanka-EU
Sri Lanka-USA
Sri Lanka-China
Sri Lanka-UAE/Gulf

Customs and import

Customs authority Sri Lanka CustomsOfficial website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic clearance via ASYCUDA World; import declaration (CusDec) by a licensed customs agent (CHA).
Export customs system: Export declaration (CusDec) submitted electronically via ASYCUDA World at Sri Lanka Customs; certificates of origin via the Department of Commerce.
Import VAT: 18 percent standard VAT (since 1.1.2024) on CIF plus customs duties and levies; plus para-tariff levies PAL and SSCL of 2,5 percent.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Certificates of origin via the Department of Commerce; FTAs with India (ISFTA), Pakistan (PSFTA), Singapore (SLSFTA) and Thailand (SLTFTA, 2024); EU GSP plus for exports.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Import and export licences via the Import and Export Control Department; restrictions apply to, among others, vehicles, dangerous goods and medicines; export of gemstones and cultural property is regulated.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
CusDec (import declaration)
Certificate of origin (for preference)
Import licence (if required)

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
CusDec (export declaration)
Certificate of origin (Department of Commerce / EDB)

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: High
Customs delays: Medium
Port congestion: Medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Medium to high

Trade

Top import partners

India China United Arab Emirates Singapore Japan

Top export partners

United States United Kingdom India Italy Germany

Top import goods

Petroleum products
Machinery
Vehicles
Chemicals
Food

Top export goods

Textiles
Tea
Rubber
Coconut products
Gemstones

Typical cargo

Tea
Apparel and textiles
Rubber products
Coconut products
Gemstones
Oil and machinery imports

Upcoming public holidays

Deepavali Festival DaySun, 8 Nov 2026 · businesses closed
Ill Full Moon Poya DayTue, 24 Nov 2026 · businesses closed
Unduvap Full Moon Poya DayWed, 23 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
Tamil Thai Pongal DayFri, 15 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
Duruthu Full Moon Poya DayFri, 22 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
Independence DayThu, 4 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
Navam Full Moon Poya DaySat, 20 Feb 2027 · businesses closed

Latest logistics news

Gemini Sends Four Additional Services Through Suez Canal3 Oct 2026
Four Gemini services return to Suez. Shippers benefit from shorter transit times, but must continue planning for diversions.

Logistics questions

What is the import VAT rate in Sri Lanka?

The standard VAT rate has been 18 percent since 1. January 2024 and is levied on the CIF value plus customs duties and other levies. In addition, para-tariff levies apply, such as the Ports and Airports Development Levy (PAL) and the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) of 2,5 percent.

Which customs authority is responsible and how is declaration made?

Sri Lanka Customs is the responsible authority. The import and export declaration (CusDec) is submitted electronically through the ASYCUDA World system and must in practice be filed by a licensed customs agent (Customs House Agent).

Why is the Port of Colombo so important?

The Port of Colombo is one of the largest transshipment hubs in South Asia and handled more than 8 million TEU for the first time in 2025. Much of the traffic is transshipment, particularly for the Indian subcontinent. The new West Container Terminal has expanded capacity since 2024/25.

Which free trade agreements does Sri Lanka have?

Sri Lanka has bilateral free trade agreements with India (ISFTA), Pakistan (PSFTA), Singapore (SLSFTA) and Thailand (SLTFTA, 2024), is a member of SAFTA and APTA, and benefits from the GSP plus preference system for exports to the EU.

Which documents are required for imports?

Generally required are the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and the electronic CusDec import declaration. For preferential treatment, a certificate of origin is also needed. For certain goods, an import licence from the Import and Export Control Department is required.

Are there seasonal or weather-related risks?

Sri Lanka has two monsoon periods: the southwest monsoon from May to September and the northeast monsoon from December to February. During these periods, heavy rain, flooding and temporary disruptions to port and road operations may occur.

Which airports are relevant for air freight?

The main air cargo airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) near Colombo/Katunayake. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) in the south serves as a second international airport but plays a smaller role for cargo.

Which currency applies and which current changes should be noted?

The local currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Since 1. April 2026, a VAT of 18 percent also applies to cross-border digital services provided by foreign providers.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗