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Wednesday, October 21 2026
Wednesday, October 21 2026
MONETABRIEF – Sri Lanka has tightened a non-tariff barrier on passenger cars and three wheeler to protect domestic manufacturers, according to a cabinet decision.
Imported car and three wheeler tyres will be subject to inspection and Sri Lanka Standards, the statement said.
The controls apply to pneumatic passenger vehicle tyres (HS Code 4011.10.90/SLS 1212) and three wheeler tyres (HS Code 4011.90.11/1347).
The controls come to help domestic manufacturers compete against imports and also for safety, the statement said.
Comments posted online following a meeting with local tyre manufacturer with the Trade Minister in January 2025, on demands local tyre tycoons to further control imports which are taxed at high levels, met with a strong backlash from his own facebook followers, who were wise to the trick of domestic manufacturers.
The barrier comes despite unhappiness expressed by drivers about the low quality of domestic tyres compared to highly taxed imported tyres from Japan, Europe and Korea some of which come as original equipment on Japanese and European cars.
High taxes or any non-tariff biers on any inputs, including tyres used for travel, pushes up operating costs in a country and will make exports uncompetitive compared to East Asia.
The new control comes as some cheaper tyres from Thailand, a top vehicle exporting hub in Asia has in the market recently.
| 3 month bill | 9.26% | 1bp ▲ |
| 12-m bill | 9.95% | 2bp - |
| Gold (Ounce) | $4187 | - ▼ |
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