Services Provided by BOI

Taxes Applicable for Clearance of Items

Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax should be paid either upfront or on deferred basis by BOI Registered companies on their Imports, if not exempted under the Customs Tariff.

Deferment of VAT

  • Deferred facility is granted only to holders of permanent VAT registration certificates

  • Facility under 22(vii) of the VAT act is given by the Inland Revenue Department, during the implementation period of the enterprise

  • Forms for registration of VAT deferred facility could be obtained from the VAT unit or downloaded from the website

Deferment of VAT

PDF  Download Application Form
Irrevocable Power of Attorney

PDF  Download Application Form
Letter of Guarantee Form1
(VAT Deferment for Export Oriented Company)

PDF  Download Application Form
Letter of Guarantee Form2
(Deferment under Section 22(7))

PDF  Download Application Form

Port and Airport Development Levy (PAL)

Raw material imported for processing and export is exempted from the payment of PAL.
Payment is applicable for all other imports including capital goods.

Nations Building Tax (NBT)

Raw material imported for processing and export is exempted from the payment of NBT. Payment is applicable for all other imports including capital goods.

Excise Duty

Payable on capital goods if applicable under the customs tariff

EDB Cess

Payable for items other than items used for processing / manufacturing for re-export as per the customs tariff

Electronic Submission of Import Documents

The option is available for an Investor for submission of import documents electronically. The import details could be transmitted to BOI online, appraising would be done on the soft copy and the representative could directly visit the BOI office at Air Cargo Village in Katunayake in respect of airfreight documents with the hard copy or the respective Service Centre for sea freight documentation.

Benefits of using the Electronic Documentation System

  • Import details could be transmitted to the service center 24 hrs and 07 days of the week

  • Saving on cost and time in documentation

  • Accuracy in recovery of taxes

Re-Imports

BOI also permits enterprises to re-import cargo exported/re-exported for the following reasons

  • Machinery and Equipment re-exported for repairs

  • Finished goods exported overseas could be permitted to be re-exported, if returned, and cleared within a period of 01 year

  • Items exported for processing (Embroidery, Printing, etc)

You should make a request to the relevant service centre, seeking permission for the re-import. The relevant form 45/FO/IS/32 could be downloaded.

Request for permission to re-import items

PDF  Download Application Form