ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka customs had collected 2,551 billion rupees in revenues in 2025, higher than a revised target of 2,241 billion rupees for the year, but December collections were less than estimated, official data show.
The Customs collected 276.7 billion rupees revenue in December, 16.4 percent less than its estimate of 331 billion for that month, the data showed.
The actual revenue was 14.3 percent or 320 billion rupees higher than the revised up target of 2,231 billion rupees 2025.
The Customs has achieved 64.2 percent higher revenue that the last year’s 1,553 million rupees.
It missed the monthly target only in December last year and outperformed in all other months, data showed.
Sri Lanka Customs revenue jump is largely due to stronger enforcement, improved valuation practices, and a rebound in import volumes mainly vehicles after years of contraction.
In 2025 the rupee fell from 292 in December to 310 to the US dollar, which can also inflated customs revenues. However government expenditure such as for medicine and other materials also go up when the rupee falls.
Eventually people who buy goods, also lose the purchasing power to buy new imports.
Following the economic crisis of 2022, imports had fallen sharply as the country imposed restrictions to conserve foreign exchange.
However, with the stabilization of reserves, the relaxation of certain import controls, and a steady recovery in consumer demand, customs collections from import duties, excise, and other levies have risen.
Officials note that tighter monitoring of under-invoicing and misdeclaration of goods has also contributed to boosting state revenue.
The combined effect of increased import activity, currency movements, and stricter enforcement has positioned Customs as one of the top revenue sources for the Treasury in 2025, providing a vital cushion as the state works to meet fiscal targets under the IMF-supported program. (Colombo/January 01/2026)
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