Sri Lanka cuts levy on ‘Maldive fish’ by nearly 97%

Sri Lanka has reduced the levy on “Maldive fish and substitutes thereof” from LKR 302 to LKR 10 per kilogram, a move that could improve market conditions for Maldivian dried-fish exporters.

Mohamed Hilmy

14 November 2026, 12:54

Sri Lanka has sharply reduced the Special Commodity Levy on imports of “Maldive fish and substitutes thereof”, a move that could improve market conditions for Maldivian dried-fish exporters.

The levy has been cut from LKR 302 to LKR 10 per kilogram, representing a reduction of approximately 96.7%.

The new rate took effect on 13 November 2026 and will remain in force until 31 December 2027, according to a Gazette issued by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The substantially lower levy reduces the tax applied when products falling within the relevant tariff category are imported into Sri Lanka. For Maldivian exporters supplying dried fish to the Sri Lankan market, the lower import cost could help improve the competitiveness of their products.

However, the reduction is not a preferential measure applying exclusively to products originating from the Maldives.

“Maldive fish” is the official product description used in Sri Lanka’s tariff classification, while the levy applies to imports falling within that category.

The measure was introduced alongside lower levies on several other food imports, including sprats and dried chillies.

Sri Lanka cuts levy on ‘Maldive fish’ by nearly 97%

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