Customs to sell more than 1,000 uncleared vehicles at Hambantota Port

Sri Lanka Customs plans to auction or sell through tenders more than 1,000 vehicles that importers have failed to clear from Hambantota Port.

Customs Media Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa said about 1,025 imported vehicles remained uncleared at the port, including 625 that had been there for more than six months.

He said the vehicles were not linked to any customs violations.

Customs would therefore take steps to sell the vehicles under Section 109 of the Customs Ordinance, either through public auction or by calling for tenders, Punchihewa said.

Importers must normally clear goods within one month of arrival after paying all applicable duties and taxes.

When goods remain uncleared, Customs may sell them and recover the taxes owed to the Government from the proceeds. Authorities may then use the remaining funds to settle port and warehouse charges.

Any balance left after those payments would be returned to the importer, Punchihewa said.

The port authorities are required to notify Customs when imported goods remain uncleared for more than a month. Customs has already received such notification regarding the vehicles at Hambantota Port and will begin the process of selling them, he said.

However, Customs may consider granting relief where an importer provides a reasonable explanation for failing to clear a vehicle, Punchihewa added.