Cess on imported goods sends prices up

Prices of many imported items including food, clothing, electrical goods and motor vehicles have gone up in price with a new import cess that came into effect last month.

The Customs levy ranges from one per cent to 25 per cent and is also imposed on imported meats, fruits and vegetables, mineral waters, alcohol products and tobacco products.

The tax on beauty and make-up preparations, hair products and perfumes is the highest with the cess being 25 per cent or Rs. 50 per kilo.

Other items which are covered by the new levy include shoes and sportswear, imported building materials, artificial and cut flowers and foliage, and imitation jewellery.

The cess was gazetted by Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and came into effect on September 16.