Sri Lanka Customs is set to launch its new Paperless Customs Declaration Process today (October 1), marking a major step in the digitalisation and modernisation of the country’s customs clearance system, the President’s Media Division stated.

The new system, jointly introduced by the Revenue Administration Reforms and Modernisation Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat and Sri Lanka Customs, is aimed at making customs services more efficient, faster and transparent.

A ceremony to officially launch the system will be held at 10 a.m. today at the Sri Lanka Customs Auditorium under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Under the new system, all importers and declarants are required to submit customs declarations and relevant documents bearing a valid digital signature with effect from October 1, 2026.

Customs declarations submitted under the previous system will no longer be accepted.

A key feature of the new digital process is its ability to detect any changes made to documents after a digital signature has been applied.

Authorities expect this feature to strengthen the integrity of the customs clearance process and reduce opportunities for fraud and corruption, the PMD noted.

The Paperless Customs Declaration Process is being introduced as part of the government’s broader programme to digitalise public services under its economic reform and public service modernisation agenda.