Verified

Customs ends manual document submissions from 19 Oct.

Sri Lanka Customs will stop accepting manual document submissions for Full Container Load (FCL) imports under office code CBHQ1 from 19 October, as it moves to a paperless Customs declaration system.

FCL refers to shipments in which a single importer’s goods fill an entire container. Customs said in a notice that paperless processing of Customs Declarations (CusDecs), the documents importers file to clear goods, was launched for FCL imports on 1 October.

All importers must obtain a digital signature and complete registration by 19 October to access the paperless service. Customs said about 2,000 importers had already obtained digital signatures, while a significant number were yet to complete registration.

Importers who have already registered must use the paperless system immediately and should not submit documents manually, even before the deadline, Customs said. The Department urged the remaining importers to register before 19 October to comply with the new system.