Sri Lanka will ban its citizens from bringing duty free items ranging from air conditioners to washing machines into the country as part of their baggage allowance, a Customs ruling said Sunday. The ban, which comes into effect from August 1, bars passengers from bringing back air conditioners, deep freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, televisions and four-burner electric cookers.
The customs circular did not say why the items were being banned and there was no immediate comment from duty-free shopowners. Sri Lankans travelling overseas are usually allowed to bring back electronic and other goods up to the value of around 500 dollars.
The duty-free allowance was popular among Sri Lankans working as maids, clerks and professionals returning from the Middle East and Asia, who picked up electrical appliances for their families. Over a million Sri Lankans sent home 752.2 million dollars during the three months to March this year, according to the country's central bank.