New Centre to expedite cargo clearance
Cargo clearance at the Colombo Port from January will come under a new import and export facilitation centre to be manned by a Finance Ministry team aimed at breaking through bureaucracy and red tape that often lead to long delays.
This fast-track cargo clearance system will accelerate the release of import and export goods in double quick time, a Finance Ministry official told the Business Times adding that imported goods are to be released within 48 hours and export goods in 24 hours. Currently it takes several days to clear cargo.
The Customs Department will work alongside the Ministry team from early January to establish the ‘quick cargo releasing service’ centre.
The official said that all existing and new importers and exporters, and any company or individual are required to register anew at the Sri Lanka Customs as a registered Importer/Exporter.
The registration of all importers with the Sri Lanka Customs will grant them with appropriate levels of facilitation in the clearance process.
Shippers have been complaining of delays in clearing cargo and detention of goods for inspection in the recent past and the new service will be a solution to their grievances, he disclosed.
All import and export containers which have no legal problems will be released within one or two days under the new system, he said, noting that if the goods are not cleared on time shippers can seek Finance Ministry facilitation centre assistance and will get a response promptly.
Import and export cargo clearance will be accelerated by also streamlining the process, simplifying the import/export documentary requirements and harmonizing complicated systems as well as re-registering importers and exporters from early next year, the official said.
Risk profiling of importers will enable low risk importers to get expeditious clearance and import documentation would be processed within three hours and containers released within 48 hours.
Correspondingly, for exports, to process documents within two hours while containers will be released for exports in 24 hours from the time of submission of documents at the facilitation centre.
Implementation of a ‘National Trade Information Portal’ will ensure transparency of Sri Lanka Custom’s practices and procedures whilst installation of a “Container Scanning System” at the port and airport will guarantee effectiveness and efficiency in baggage and container clearing process.