Importing goods into Sri Lanka: duty and VAT on the landed cost
How import duty and 18% VAT stack up on shipments into Sri Lanka, with a worked landed-cost example.
Key facts
| Place | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Tax | VAT |
| Standard rate on file | 18% |
| Multiply net price by | 1.18 |
| Tax share of a gross price | 15.25% |
| Currency | LKR |
The customs value
Duty is usually charged on the customs value of the goods, which in many countries includes the price paid plus shipping and insurance to the border. Some countries use the value at the point of export instead, so check the valuation basis that applies in Sri Lanka.
Worked example
Here is the calculation with sample figures. Change any number in the Sri Lanka Import Duty Calculator to run your own.
| Value of goods | LKR3,000.00 |
| Shipping and insurance | LKR150.00 |
| Duty rate (%) | 5% |
| Tax rate (%) | 18% |
| Import duty | LKR157.50 |
|---|---|
| Tax | LKR595.35 |
| Landed cost | LKR3,902.85 |
Duty rates depend on the product code
Every product has a tariff classification code, and the duty rate is set per code. Two similar products can carry very different rates. Trade agreements, quotas and anti-dumping measures can change the rate again, so the 5% used in the example below is only an illustration.
VAT is charged on top of duty
Import VAT in Sri Lanka is normally charged on the customs value plus the duty, which means you pay tax on the duty itself. Registered businesses can often reclaim import VAT as input tax, but the duty is a real cost.
Quick reference at 18%
Common amounts in Sri Lanka, worked both ways: adding tax to a net price, and extracting it from a price that already includes tax.
| Amount | Tax on net amount | Gross (net + tax) | Net if amount includes tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| LKR10.00 | LKR1.80 | LKR11.80 | LKR8.47 |
| LKR50.00 | LKR9.00 | LKR59.00 | LKR42.37 |
| LKR100.00 | LKR18.00 | LKR118.00 | LKR84.75 |
| LKR250.00 | LKR45.00 | LKR295.00 | LKR211.86 |
| LKR500.00 | LKR90.00 | LKR590.00 | LKR423.73 |
| LKR1,000.00 | LKR180.00 | LKR1,180.00 | LKR847.46 |
| LKR5,000.00 | LKR900.00 | LKR5,900.00 | LKR4,237.29 |
How Sri Lanka compares
Standard rates on file for other countries. A difference of a few points matters most on high-value purchases and on cross-border sales.
| Place | Rate on file | Compared with 18% |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 15% | lower |
| South Korea | 10% | lower |
| Spain | 21% | higher |
| Sweden | 25% | higher |
| Switzerland | 8.1% | lower |
| Taiwan | 5% | lower |
Using the calculator step by step
- Open the Sri Lanka Import Duty Calculator.
- Type your figures into the numbered lines. Results update as you type.
- Check the rate field. It starts at 18%; change it if a reduced rate, local surcharge or exemption applies to you.
- Read the result on the receipt panel, and use the formula shown under it if you need to explain the figure to a client or colleague.
Key terms
- Exempt supply
- A sale that falls outside the tax entirely. No tax is charged and input tax usually cannot be reclaimed.
- Withholding
- Tax deducted at source, by an employer or payer, before the money reaches you.
- Reduced rate
- A lower rate that applies to specific categories, often essentials such as food, medicine or books.
- Deduction
- An amount subtracted from taxable income. It saves tax equal to the deduction times your marginal rate.
- Gross amount
- The amount after tax is added, which is usually what a consumer pays.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the product price alone and ignoring shipping in the customs value.
- Assuming the duty rate of a similar product applies to yours.
- Forgetting broker and handling fees when pricing imported stock.
Run your own numbers. The Sri Lanka Import Duty Calculator updates as you type and shows the formula it uses.
Frequently asked questions
Is VAT charged on import duty in Sri Lanka?
In most systems, yes: import VAT is calculated on the customs value plus duty.
Can I reclaim import VAT?
Businesses registered for VAT can usually reclaim it as input tax, subject to local rules and proper documentation.
This article is general information for planning, not tax advice. Rates and rules change; confirm with your tax authority or a qualified adviser.