Committee to address e-commerce Customs challenges, develop long-term framework

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 00:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved the appointment of a Special Committee to provide temporary monitoring relief and formulate a long-term regulatory framework for cross-border e-commerce activities in the country.

The move comes amid a notable rise in e-commerce imports, which has placed pressure on the Customs clearance system and affected thousands of small-scale importers and individual consumers.

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the Committee was composed of officials from relevant institutions and will be tasked with offering short-term operational solutions to streamline the clearance of goods and lay the groundwork for a comprehensive regulatory framework.

“It has become necessary to address the growing volume of imports through cross-border e-commerce platforms, while also ensuring that the Government can efficiently collect taxes and provide a supportive regulatory environment for this expanding sector,” he explained.

Although Sri Lanka Customs recently amended its clearance producers to address existing inefficiencies, the changes have led to delays, increased transaction costs, reduced transparency and shaken public trust; particularly impacting individual buyers and small-scale importers heavily reliant on online platforms.

The resolution to form the committee was by President Anura Kumara Disanayake in his capacity as the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister and aims to strike a balance between enabling the continued growth of e-commerce and ensuring efficient regulation and revenue collection.

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