Customs to help expats in goods clearince

Chaminda PERERA

In a move to recognize the services of the Sri Lankan expatriate workers, the Sri Lanka Customs is to introduce a novel mechanism that would expedite the clearing process of goods sent by them via sea and air.

This novel mechanism which would be effective from next month, would ease the clearing process and expatriate workers living in remote parts of the country need not linger in Colombo for days until their goods could be cleared by the Customs.

The department jointly with ware house owners is implementing this programme. According to Customs Director General Nevil Gunawardena, ware house owners have agreed to extend their fullest cooperation for this programme.

He said that the ware house agents in the middle east and other western countries, have agreed to send the list of items to be sent by Sri Lankan expatriate workers prior to their delivery to Sri Lanka, via email and Customs officials would take prompt action to release these items based on the details in the list.

He said that these agents should inform the Customs immediately, if they find any suspicious items from expatriate workers and the department was maintaining a separate record on such suspicious cargos.