Tough import rules from Jan 1

A virtually impossible directive to follow issued by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) demanding that all imported packed goods must be price marked at the ‘entry point’ is set to come into effect from January 1.

According to the gazette number 1466/25 issued on October 13 all importers “shall have the maximum retail price applicable marked on the packet or container in the English language at the point of entry to the island” with effect from January 1, 2007.

Importers point out that the directive requires the price to be marked by the manufacturer prior to reaching the local customs posing a gamut of practical difficulties. President of the Importers Association of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Ranjan De Silva told The Sunday Times FT that since orders are placed at least three months prior to arrival importers would have to foresee fluctuations of the exchange rate and changes in duty, which is illogical. He added that getting manufacturers to print labels for Sri Lankan importers would also be unfeasible. “Even our largest importer is a small scale buyer for these manufacturers in US and Japan. So they won’t be printing labels for a thousand cans of salmon,” he said.

The CAA concedes that importers are facing practical difficulties in carrying out the directive and discussions are ongoing on the matter. De Silva said “we are hoping that the authorities would see reason and annul the regulation”.