According to official data, revenue collected by Sri Lanka Customs in the first 13 days of January has already surpassed 66 percent of the monthly target for January 2026. The target for January is set at 160.2 billion rupees, and Customs has collected 106.6 billion rupees within this period, as per the data.
Customs officials have expedited container clearance since last month, following disruptions caused by the Ditwah devastation in November, which affected regular operations for at least four days amidst an increase in imports in December.
In the previous year, Sri Lanka Customs achieved a record revenue collection of 2,551 billion rupees, exceeding the revised target of 2,241 billion rupees and marking a 64.2 percent increase compared to the previous year’s revenue of 1,553 billion rupees.
For the current year, the revenue target has been set at 2,207 billion rupees, which is 13.5 percent lower than last year’s target due to an anticipated decline in car imports.
The significant increase in Customs revenue can be attributed to stronger enforcement measures, improved valuation practices, and a rebound in import volumes after a period of contraction. Following the economic crisis in 2022, imports had dropped sharply as the country imposed restrictions to conserve foreign exchange. However, with the stabilization of reserves, the relaxation of certain import controls, and the steady recovery in consumer demand, customs collections from import duties, excise, and other levies have risen.
Officials have also highlighted that tighter monitoring of under-invoicing and misdeclaration of goods has contributed to increased state revenue. The combined effect of heightened import activity, currency fluctuations, and stricter enforcement has positioned Customs as one of the top revenue sources for the Treasury in 2025, providing a crucial buffer as the state aims to meet fiscal targets under the IMF-supported program.
(Colombo/January 14/2026)
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