SRI LANKA. Sales at Port City Duty-Free Mall in Colombo are set for a big boost following the passing of new regulations governing the downtown emporium’s shopping model.
In February, The Committee on Public Finance approved regulations published under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021. A notice was subsequently issued via Gazette (see below) on 13 February and the Committee on Public Finance formally ratified the changes in late April.
The measures ease restrictions previously imposed on Sri Lankan citizens purchasing goods from duty-free shopping complexes run by China Duty Free Group and One World Duty Free in Port City.
Under the new regulations, Sri Lankan citizens and residents are eligible for duty-free shopping after every overseas trip (as opposed to one annually), with the added flexibility of two allowed visits within a four-day post-arrival period. The duty-free purchase allowance for arriving passengers remains at US$2,000.
Officials said foreign tourist arrivals to the Port City remain low, accounting for just 1.5% of total visitors. The policy shift aims to expand access for domestic shoppers and enhance the commercial viability of the duty-free stores.
In comments published by local media Daily Mirror Online today, CDF Sri Lanka Country Manager Dimantha Kinigama welcomed the changes and encouraged locals to take advantage of the enhanced policy. “I would encourage all Sri Lankans to shop in Sri Lanka, either at the airport or at Port City, provided that the choice, the price, the promotions are compatible with international standards,” he observed.
The Port City duty-free stores also now permit departing passengers to pre-order liquor downtown. China Duty Free Group has introduced a streamlined pre-order and collection service, allowing customers to place orders at the Port City store and collect their purchases at the Bandaranaike International Airport departures terminal.
All transactions remain digitally verified and strictly integrated with Sri Lanka Customs systems.
Highlighting the purchasing power of high net worth Indian travellers, Kinigama noted a recent transaction where an Indian visitor purchased a US$10,000 bottle from The Macallan M Collection, a SKU unavailable at home.
To cater for the expanding upscale spend, China Duty Free is introducing flagship stores for Hugo Boss, Anta, Nike and Montblanc in the second half of this year, the report said. ✈
