Important! - Please note that the import control procedure described here is not a comprehensive list of requirements but only a guideline and the importers are advised to refer to any other relevant regulations and procedures applicable to the product imported.
Food import control procedure is implemented at the borders by the Sri Lankan Food Control Administration Unit (FCAU) of Ministry of Health to ensure that the food arrives in Sri Lanka are safe for human consumption.
Food Control Administration Unit regulates all food items imported to the country except,
- Live animals, raw meat and feed which are controlled by the Department of Animal Production and Health.
- Plant products which are controlled by the Plant Quarantine Office of the Department of Agriculture.
Prior registration / approval is required for following food items
All food items imported should comply with the following regulations
- Food (labelling and advertising) Regulations 2011
- Food (shelf life for imported food items) Regulations 2012
The above two regulations apply in addition to the specific regulation(s) governing the product if any such regulation(s) exist for the product. For Eg. Common salt should comply with “Food (Iodization of salt) regulations in addition to the above 2 regulations.
Further, if a standard has been adopted under the “Food (adoption of standards) Regulations for a specific food product that product shall comply with the adopted Sri Lankan standards. There are 101 food products currently regulated by their regulation.
Import Food Inspection & Regulatory mechanism in Sri Lanka
- Following is the regulatory mechanism adopted by the Food control unit, and in addition to this all food items arriving in the country should comply with the food (labelling and advertising) regulations 2005 and any other relevant regulations under the food Act No.26 of 1980.
- This is not a complete list of items and only commonly imported items are listed. If you have any query please contact the Food control administration unit.
- For regulatory purposes all imported food items are categorized into 3 groups based on the perceived risk; and appropriate regulatory measures taken as follows.
High Risk Category (Fish, Milk, Meat, Eggs and their products) | |||||
Food item | Prior Permission necessary From | Documents requiredfrom relevant Authority in the Exporting Country | Conformity Assessment | Parameters Tested | Frequency of sampling / examinat |
Full Cream Milk Powder | Prior permission not necessary | Health Certificate Analytical Certificate Certificate of country of Origin Melamine & DCD Free Certificate | Analytical Report from Atomic Energy Board (AEB) | Radio activity Levels | Each consignment |
Microbiological Standards | Microbiological Parameters | One in Four Consignment | |||
Chemical Analysis | Fat content Origin of Fat, D. C. D Contamination | One in Four Consignment | |||
Infant Formulae | Ministry of Health | Health Certificate Analytical Certificate Certificate of country of Origin Melamine & DCD Free Certificate | Analytical report from Atomic Energy Board (AEB) | Radio activity Levels | Each consignment |
2. Microbiological Standards | Microbiological Parameters | One in Four Consignment | |||
Skimmed Milk Powder | Prior permission not necessary | Health Certificate Analytical Certificate Certificate of country of Origin Melamine & DCD Free Certificate | Analytical report from Atomic Energy Board (AEB) | Radio activity Levels | Each consignment |
Microbiological Standards | Microbiological Parameters |
One in Four Consignment | |||
Chemical Analysis | Fat content Origin of Fat, D. C. D. Contamination | One in Four Consignment | |||
Fresh Meat & Meat Products | Dept. of Animal Production & Health (Animal Quarantine office) From License Imports & Export Controller | Health Certificate Certificate of BSE free Status Certificate of country of Origin | Temperature Monitoring Chart |
Temperature maintenance |
Each Consignment |
Microbiological Standards | Microbiological Parameters by DAPH* | Each Consignment | |||
Fresh frozen Fish | Animal Production & Health (Animal Quarantine) | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate | Microbiological Standards | Microbiological Parameters | Each Consignment |
Chemical Analysis | Formaldehyde Contamination with Level | Each Consignment | |||
Poultry meat (Chicken, Duck, Goose etc.) | Dept of Animal Production & Health (Animal Quarantine Office) | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate | Temperature Monitoring Chart | Temperature | Each Consignment |
Microbiological Standards | Microbiological Parameters by DAPH* | Each Consignment | |||
Medium Risk (Processed meat, canned fish or animal products etc.) | |||||
Processed Meat Products | Dept. of animal Production & Health (Animal Quarantine office) | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate GMP Certificate Certificate of BSE Status for beef products |
Microbiological Standards | Microbiological Parameters | Each Consignment |
Eggs & Egg Products | Dept. of animal Production & Health (Animal Quarantine office) License from Imports & Export Controller | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate GMP Certificate |
Microbiological Standards | Microbiological Parameters by DAPH* | Each Consignment |
Ready to eat Frozen Foods | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate GMP Certificate |
Microbiological Standards Temperature Monitoring Chart | Microbiological Parameters | If required | |
Processed Meat Products (Canned) | Animal Production & Health(Animal Quarantine) Imports & Export Controller License | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate GMP Certificate |
Microbiological Standards | Each Consignment | |
Canned Fish | Imports & Export Controller License | Microbiological Standards Health Certificate | SLSI Standard | Dead parasite, worms or any other foreign matter | Each Consignment |
Cheese | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Butter | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Canned fruits | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Bovine gelatin | Animal Production & Health(Animal Quarantine) | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate BSE free certificate |
Organoleptic Properties |
Each Consignment | |
Pre-packaged food item (Biscuits, noodles etc.) | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Health Certificate GMP Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Wheat Flour | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate | Organoleptic Properties | Identify GM Organism (Random) | Each Consignment (organoleptic) |
Soya Flour | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate Non GM Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties GMO status | Identify GM Organism (Random) | Random |
Corn Starch | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate Non GMO Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Animal Fat | Animal Production & Health(Animal Quarantine office) Imports & Export Controller Licen |
Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate Certificate of BSE Status |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Liquid Glucose | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate Non GMO Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Chilies Powder Turmeric Powder and Condiment Powder | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate |
Aflatoxin | Each consignment if not carry a certificate | |
Low Risk (Cereals, pulses, Fruits, Confectionery, primary agricultural products etc.) | |||||
Rice Chick peas Green Gram Split Chick peas Split Lentils (Dhal) Black eyed Beans Red Beans Meth seeds Fennel Seeds Turmeric |
Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Sanitary & Phyto Sanitary Certificate GAP Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | ||||
Coriander Seeds | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate |
Testing volatile matter Organoleptic Properties | Volatile Matter | Each Consignment |
Dry Chilies | Prior permission not necessary | Spice Board Certificate from country of origin |
Organoleptic Properties |
Aflatoxin Pesticide Residues | Each consignment If and when required |
Dry Fish Dry Sprats |
Prior permission not necessary | Organoleptic Properties Formaldehyde | Each Consignment | ||
Fresh Fruits | Plant Quarantine unit | Certificate of country of Origin Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate GAP Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties Chemical Parameters |
Pesticide Residues | If and when required |
Black & Green Tea | Tea Board Imports & Export Controller License |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | ||
Potatoes | Prior permission not necessary | AEB analytical Certificate Chemical Parameters |
Radio activity Heavy Metal Pesticide residues |
Randomly | |
Onions | Prior permission not necessary | AEB analytical Certificate Chemical Parameters |
Radio activity Pesticide residue |
Randomly | |
Garlic | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate GAP Certificate |
AEB analytical Certificate | Radio activity | Randomly |
Sugar | Prior permission not necessary | Load Port Survey Report | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Iodized Salt | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate (HM) | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Non Iodized Salt Food Control | Food Control Administration Unit | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate (HM) | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Bottled Drinking Water | Food Control Administration Unit | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Cocoa Beans Cocoa Powder Coffee Beans |
Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Sugar Confectionary Biscuits |
Prior permission not necessary | Certificate Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Pasta Products Breakfast Cereal |
Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Coconut Kernels | Coconut Development Board | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | ||
Vegetable Oil Vegetable Fat |
Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Carbonated Soft Drink | Imports & Export Controller License | Analytical Certificate | Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Fruit Based Drink | Imports & Export Controller License | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificat |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Tomato Paste Tomato Sauce |
Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Analytical Certificate Non-GM certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Each Consignment | |
Soya Beans | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Non GMO Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Aflatoxin Level | Random |
Soya Sauce | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Non GMO Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Each consignment | |
Bee Honey | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin | Organoleptic Properties | Each consignment | |
Date | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin | Organoleptic Properties | Each consignment | |
Peanut | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties Chemical parameters |
Aflatoxin | If and when necessary+ |
Malt | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties | Each consignment | |
Wheat | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary |
Organoleptic Properties | Each consignment | |
Ginger | Prior permission not necessary | Certificate of country of Origin Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate |
Organoleptic Properties AEB analytical Certificate |
Each consignment |
*DAPH - Department of Animal Production and Health
*AEB - Atomic Energy Board
+ Should carry an Aflatoxin free certificate from the food authority of the exporting country and if not available or issued by any other agency will check the level at the entry ports.