🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Customs Mandates Paperless System, Setting Stage for National Single Window

• Overview & Key Reform: On Oct 1, Sri Lanka Customs introduced mandatory digital signatures and paperless Customs Declarations (CUSDEC) via ASYCUDA World to eliminate manual submission delays, cut dwell times, and reduce corruption risk. • Trade & Logistics Context: The Port of Colombo handles over 70% of South Asian transshipment cargo, but faces growing competition from Indian ports like Vizhinjam. While quayside operations are fast, land-side cross-border processes suffer from inter-agency delays. • National Single Window (NSW) Challenges: • Over 30 Participating Government Agencies (PGAs)—including standards, quarantine, and import control—remain siloed, requiring manual permits that stall exports and imports. • Under WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement commitments, Sri Lanka aims for a unified single-submission portal. • Priority Action Areas: • Legally require PGAs to integrate via APIs with ASYCUDA within 6–12 months. • Expand AI/Risk-based green-channel clearances for Authorised Economic Operators. • Transition to digital terminal payments, electronic Delivery Orders (e-DOs), and e-Gate passes. • Establish a statutory Single Window Executive Authority under the Presidential Secretariat.