Smuggled Shoes- Knock off Price

Smuggled Shoes Flood Sri Lanka’s Market, Industry Leader Warns

In a shocking revelation, Neville Pereira, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Footwear and Leather Goods Manufacturers Association, has exposed a major smuggling operation. According to Pereira, most shoes sold in Colombo’s high-end stores are illegally brought into the country, avoiding high import taxes.

Suspiciously Low Prices

Pereira says it is impossible to sell a shoe for just Rs. 1,000 if all legal taxes are paid. However, unregistered importers are sneaking in shoes from Dubai with help from corrupt customs officers. These smuggled shoes, including brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma, are then sold in top retail outlets without paying any import duties.

Customs Corruption

Pereira accuses some customs officers at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) of accepting bribes to allow smuggled goods through. He claims this is not a rare crime but an ongoing, organized operation making billions of rupees.

Fake Brands Sold Openly

Many of these smuggled shoes are fake versions of famous brands such as Reebok, New Balance, and ASICS. Pereira warns that customers often buy these knock-offs, believing they are real. This illegal trade not only harms the economy but also violates intellectual property rights and misleads consumers.

A Call for Government Action

Pereira urges Sri Lanka’s new government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), to act against corrupt customs officers and illegal importers. He says past governments ignored the issue, but now is the time for real change.

Describing smuggling as a ‘cancer’ destroying the economy, Pereira warns that Sri Lanka’s footwear industry is at risk. Local manufacturers cannot compete with illegal imports, and without action, the industry may collapse.