COLOMBO, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka Customs on Thursday began implementing a new paperless customs declaration process, requiring importers and declarants to submit digitally signed declarations and supporting documents.
An official launch ceremony was held at the Sri Lanka Customs Auditorium at 10 a.m. local time on Thursday under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera and Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Customs declarations submitted under the previous system are no longer accepted from Oct. 1, 2026, as the new requirements take effect across the customs clearance process.
The system is capable of detecting changes made to documents after a digital signature has been applied. Authorities expect the feature to strengthen the integrity of customs clearance and reduce opportunities for fraud and corruption.
The Paperless Customs Declaration Process was jointly introduced by Sri Lanka Customs and the Revenue Administration Reforms and Modernization Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat. The initiative is aimed at improving the speed, efficiency and transparency of customs services under the government's economic reform and public service modernization agenda. ■
