Home › Travel Guides › Asia Travel Guide › Sri Lanka › Money & duty free for Sri Lanka

Money & duty free for Sri Lanka

Currency information: 

Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR; symbol Rp) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Rp2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Rp10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. There are also large numbers of commemorative coins in circulation.

Credit cards: 

MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. American Express is also often accepted. Major cities have ATMs, although not all will accept international cards. The tourist board urges caution when paying by credit card due to the potential for fraud.

ATM: 

Major cities have ATMs, although not all will accept international cards, especially the national bank.

Travellers cheques: 

The rate of exchange for traveller's cheques can be better than the rate of exchange for cash. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Sat 0900-1300. Some city banks close at 1500, some even have night bank facilities.

Currency restriction: 

The import and export of local currency is limited to Rp5000. The import of notes from India and Pakistan is not allowed. Otherwise, the import of foreign currency is not restricted but all amounts over US$5,000 are subject to declaration. Export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on import.

Currency exchange: 

Foreign currency can be changed at authorised exchanges, banks and hotels.

Sri Lanka duty free

The following items may be imported into Sri Lanka by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 2 bottles of wine and 1.5L of spirits.
• A small quantity of perfume and 250mL of eau de toilette.
• Personal clothing and other essentials.
• Souvenirs should not exceed US$250 in value.

Note: Please note that with effect from April 2006, there is no longer a duty-free allowance for tobacco products. Any passenger arriving into Colombo and clearing customs, if having any cigarettes in their possession, will be charged at Rs.6,000 per carton of cigarettes approximately. (A few packets for personal use only may be allowed.)

(a) Only two members of the same family travelling together are entitled to free import allowances. (b) Valuable personal effects (including jewellery), must be declared on arrival in Sri Lanka. (c) There is no gift allowance. (d) Unused Sri Lankan currency should be reconverted to foreign currency upon departure. You are not permitted to leave Sri Lanka with currency in excess of Rs.250.

Banned imports: 

Firearms, explosives and dangerous weapons; antiques; animals/birds/reptiles (dead or alive) and parts; tea; rubber; coconut plants; dangerous drugs; pornographic materials.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.