New rules for tires imported into the country from January 2027

The government has taken steps to implement a new series of quality control and standardization laws regarding pneumatic tires used for passenger motor vehicles and trishaws imported into the country. These new regulations will come into full effect from January 01, 2027.

In accordance with the powers vested by the Imports and Exports (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969, these relevant orders have been enacted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance. Accordingly, the government has published the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2508/27 dated October 01, 2026, by amending the standardization and quality control regulations enacted in May 2024.

Under the new amendments issued, it is noteworthy that two new categories of imported tires have been included in Schedule 'B' of the existing regulations. According to the prescribed new standards, passenger motor vehicle tires (HS Code 4011.10.90) must comply with SLS 1212 standard, and pneumatic tires imported for trishaws (HS Code 4011.90.10) are mandated to comply with SLS 1347 standard.

The relevant Extraordinary Gazette Notification further emphasizes that these new rules and standards will apply to all imported goods belonging to the aforementioned categories that arrive at any airport or port in the island on or after January 01, 2027.