Govt. removes Rs. 65 per kilo import levy on two rice categories

The government has removed the Special Commodity Levy of Rs. 65 per kilogram imposed on two categories of imported rice, effective from today (03).

The tax exemption applies to specific HS codes covering raw rice and parboiled rice.

The decision was announced through a Gazette notification issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The order has been issued under Section 2 of the Special Commodity Levy Act No. 48 of 2007.

Previously, a Special Commodity Levy of Rs. 65 per kilogram had been imposed on certain imported rice varieties, including dehusked brown rice, raw rice and parboiled rice, under Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2469/12 dated December 31, 2025.

However, under the latest Gazette notification, the Rs. 65 per kilogram levy has been removed specifically for raw rice and parboiled rice.

The existing levy on dehusked brown rice is not covered by this latest revision.