Govt. slaps excise duty on foreign booze

The Government has imposed an excise duty per bulk litre of imported foreign liquor ranging from Rs. 50-Rs. 200 with effect from yesterday.

The duty on foreign malt liquor is Rs. 50, foreign wine Rs. 100 and all other foreign liquor Rs. 200.

The relevant gazette was issued by Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake under the Excise Ordinance. A person who wishes to import liquor will need to submit an application to the Commissioner General of Excise and if their application is accepted, the applicant will be issued an import license and a pass to transport foreign liquor upon the payment of the excise duty, the gazette said.