As per provisions in the Customs Act, imported items can be kept for 30 days, expiring which the Customs has the right to act appropriately, he says.

Such items can be sold, the customs duty, demurrage and other charges deducted from the amount and handover any remaining money to the importer, says Gamini.

Demurrage

The demurrage will not be charged for vehicles for which letters of credit were opened before the 2016 budget presentation, the government has said.

However, the Customs says it is yet to be informed about that, and that such concession cannot be granted until officially informed.

Importers are delaying getting the clearance of the vehicles until the concession is given, resulting in a large number of vehicles being kept at Hambantota port.