Special commodity levy hiked on nine imported food items

The Finance Ministry has decided to increase the special commodity levy on nine imports including fruits for the next six months. 

With the new tax hike, the prices of imported yoghurt, apples, grapes and cheese will go up. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has made this increase under the Special Commodity Levy Act. A special commodity levy of Rs. 1,000 per kg has been imposed on yoghurt, butter and spreads manufactured using milk.

Special

The tax on a kilogram of apples will increase by Rs. 200 and the tax on a kilogram of grapes will increase by Rs. 100. A special commodity levy of Rs. 400 per kg has been imposed on all verities of cheese while a levy of Rs. 200 per kg is imposed on dates (dried and fresh), oranges, grapes (dried and fresh), apples and other imported fruits.