Vehicle Import Restrictions to be Lifted!

[Dee Jay]

  On 3/30/2025 at 2:09 PM, sathyajithj99 said:

Funny thing this generation Vezel is offered as a 4 seater as there is only 2 seats at the back with seat belts for 2.

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That's only for the Aussie market as far as I know, since due to the Australian regulations they do not approve roof mounted seat belts. Even in the previous generation the Vezel had one roof mounted seat belt.

[iRage]

  On 3/30/2025 at 2:09 PM, sathyajithj99 said:

Funny thing this generation Vezel is offered as a 4 seater as there is only 2 seats at the back with seat belts for 2

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No..they are classified as 5 passenger vehicles. There is a rood mounted seatbelt for the rear center passenger. Granted, the rear middle seat seems rather uncomfortable with the slightly raised/shaped hump.

[sathyajithj99]

  On 3/30/2025 at 4:27 PM, Dee Jay said:

That's only for the Aussie market as far as I know, since due to the Australian regulations they do not approve roof mounted seat belts. Even in the previous generation the Vezel had one roof mounted seat belt.

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  On 3/31/2025 at 2:29 AM, iRage said:

No..they are classified as 5 passenger vehicles. There is a rood mounted seatbelt for the rear center passenger. Granted, the rear middle seat seems rather uncomfortable with the slightly raised/shaped hump.

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Is that so? The reviews I went through were Aussie ones hence the confusion 

[Skyline R33]

  On 3/30/2025 at 3:12 AM, iRage said:

I don't think it will be a problem; it is just that it is not the normal avenue, so there needs to be some extra legwork done from your side.
As for the FOREX thing...that really wasn't a restrictive requirement even in the past, it was just a criteria for certain types of permits and as a check to ensure everything is legit; and then during the ban it was needed to file for an excemption for the ban.

You need to understand Sri Lankans to figure out why these are put in place. Lankans go crazy and become the most devious specimens on the face of the planet when it comes to cars.

If the checks were not there our people would be getting our neighbor's aunty's colleague's son-in-law living in Kenya to their long lost uncle who lived in London before passing away 15 years ago to their house-keeper's daughter now working in the middle east sending in cars. They would happily pay the expat Lankan's local relatives in Rs. thus impacting a huge part of the country's forex inflows. This also means there will be a bunch of people who would be shifting money back and forth in dubious ways (which by the way does borderline and sometimes is money laundering). Also, in the past this was also a part of motivating Lankan expats to save their USDs, GBP, JPY, etc in Lanka (there was a time where you would automatically get a permit for 20% of the forex remittances one makes, then at another time permits for government bonds purchased, etc...)

So as long as it is a legit case, it should be given due consideration; it is just that you will have to go knock on a few doors. Even the customs department is likely to say no at first because they don't want to open a new can of worms with a whole bunch of migrated Lankans wanting to send in cars bought from their foreign held money. 

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Yes, completely understand the monetary control part. However they could come up with something like, if you are a dual Citizen, and have immediate family in SL, you can send a vehicle every five years which cannot be sold for those five years. People will sell on open papers etc. This would also help boost the economy by saving FOREX and possibly brining down the second hand prices. My gut says they will probably stop the imports in the near future.

[Dee Jay]

  On 3/31/2025 at 11:41 AM, sathyajithj99 said:

Is that so? The reviews I went through were Aussie ones hence the confusion 

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Yes, the Aussie and the JDM ones also carry certain spec differences as I observed. The UK highest spec is more closely matched with the JDM variant it seems..

[iRage]

  On 3/31/2025 at 12:17 PM, Skyline R33 said:

Yes, completely understand the monetary control part. However they could come up with something like, if you are a dual Citizen, and have immediate family in SL, you can send a vehicle every five years which cannot be sold for those five years.

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Yes...that is a good idea. Here is the issue: In the past, there were similar mechanisms that allowed such imports. Sri Lanka was quite liberal when it came to car imports, and for the most part, there was a reasonable balance. Remember, we had blue permits, pink permits, and before that, even imports on passports (import permission and duty credit through duty-free allowance accumulated by Lankan expats). But guess what? WE, our own people, led by our selflessly acting human rights-protecting car importers who fight to make Lankan's dreams of owning a car come true, completely and utterly abused every single mechanism that was there. Cars imported under blue/pink and other permits were on showroom floors/yards in no time. Even cars bought in through CARNET were sold off. CARNET used to be 2 years...then it became one year..then 6 months...and now it is 3 months unless you can show reasonable evidence for it to be extended. So there were cars older than the age limit, etc...

So, can the government open up such schemes? Yes...will they? Probably not because they do not have the resources (including the know-how) on how to properly govern it (including their own internal corruption).

  On 3/31/2025 at 12:17 PM, Skyline R33 said:

My gut says they will probably stop the imports in the near future.

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Considering the amount of luxury vehicles coming in this can very well be a reality. Not sure if they will completely block it but perhaps introduce a quota system (like in Singapore). Right now the government seems to be okay because they are desperately trying to earn taxes (hopefully, they have a tipping point established for how much forex can be sent out). But then, on the other hand, the frenzy might slow down as well, which is what it is right now: a buying frenzy by people who seem to have been dying of vehicular starvation.

[Skyline R33]

  On 4/1/2025 at 4:15 AM, iRage said:

Yes...that is a good idea. Here is the issue: In the past, there were similar mechanisms that allowed such imports. Sri Lanka was quite liberal when it came to car imports, and for the most part, there was a reasonable balance. Remember, we had blue permits, pink permits, and before that, even imports on passports (import permission and duty credit through duty-free allowance accumulated by Lankan expats). But guess what? WE, our own people, led by our selflessly acting human rights-protecting car importers who fight to make Lankan's dreams of owning a car come true, completely and utterly abused every single mechanism that was there. Cars imported under blue/pink and other permits were on showroom floors/yards in no time. Even cars bought in through CARNET were sold off. CARNET used to be 2 years...then it became one year..then 6 months...and now it is 3 months unless you can show reasonable evidence for it to be extended. So there were cars older than the age limit, etc...

So, can the government open up such schemes? Yes...will they? Probably not because they do not have the resources (including the know-how) on how to properly govern it (including their own internal corruption).

Considering the amount of luxury vehicles coming in this can very well be a reality. Not sure if they will completely block it but perhaps introduce a quota system (like in Singapore). Right now the government seems to be okay because they are desperately trying to earn taxes (hopefully, they have a tipping point established for how much forex can be sent out). But then, on the other hand, the frenzy might slow down as well, which is what it is right now: a buying frenzy by people who seem to have been dying of vehicular starvation.

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Agreed. Our people abused the system. I remember when I came to Aus in 2006 for studies and wanted to buy our first family vehicle, in 2009 I had similar thoughts of sending a car. It was the days of all these permits etc and I could not get a proper answer from anyone so we ended up buying the 1997 GY series CR51 for 2.3million. It has 197k on the clock and dad has added an extra 100k to it. Engine, gear box and many other items have been rebuilt or repaired. It is slow but a solid vehicle. 

As time changes and the middle class grows, the need for vehicles has increased. This added to the five year ban has further added to the buying frenzy. 

I will keep you guys posted on how things go.

 

[tiv]

  On 4/1/2025 at 6:44 AM, Skyline R33 said:

Agreed. Our people abused the system. I remember when I came to Aus in 2006 for studies and wanted to buy our first family vehicle, in 2009 I had similar thoughts of sending a car. It was the days of all these permits etc and I could not get a proper answer from anyone so we ended up buying the 1997 GY series CR51 for 2.3million. It has 197k on the clock and dad has added an extra 100k to it. Engine, gear box and many other items have been rebuilt or repaired. It is slow but a solid vehicle. 

As time changes and the middle class grows, the need for vehicles has increased. This added to the five year ban has further added to the buying frenzy. 

I will keep you guys posted on how things go.

 

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We had a CR51 for almost 2 decades, slow but reliable thing, also the 4wd system is superb on and off road!

Fond memories of simpler times, 

[Skyline R33]

  On 4/4/2025 at 5:40 AM, tiv said:

We had a CR51 for almost 2 decades, slow but reliable thing, also the 4wd system is superb on and off road!

Fond memories of simpler times, 

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Yes. Dad does love the 4WD and the raised seating compared to a car. He recently had an offer for 4.0mil but not sure how much these go for. He is the second owner.

[Skyline R33]

UPDATE

I have been told by multiple sources, there is no way to clear a car without a valid LC.

In my case the AUD has to come to SL and then go back to Aus via LC. Also shipping from Aus is via FCL only. Probably the key benefit of getting a car from Aussie is so the infotainment system will be in English, however much expensive than Japan. 

Any contacts for a reliable and good clearing agent in SL who can handle all customs procedures and also trustworthy? Happy to spend top $$ for the right one.

 

[iRage]

  On 4/9/2025 at 12:44 AM, Skyline R33 said:

UPDATE

I have been told by multiple sources, there is no way to clear a car without a valid LC.

In my case the AUD has to come to SL and then go back to Aus via LC. Also shipping from Aus is via FCL only. Probably the key benefit of getting a car from Aussie is so the infotainment system will be in English, however much expensive than Japan. 

Any contacts for a reliable and good clearing agent in SL who can handle all customs procedures and also trustworthy? Happy to spend top $$ for the right one.

 

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😮 
This is just ridiculous! But also I can see how our guys would abuse the system if it was not present. Sad state of the country I suppose. But...this is apparently applicable since you are sending it to someone and not actually importing it for yourself.

About the infotainment system...in new cars the language can be changed. My Corolla Touring and GR Yaris are both JDM variants (like actual Japanese market variants) and everything from the info display on the speedometer to the warning messages some woman screams to the audio/video system is in English. The only things that are not in English are the built-in map/navi system (but Google maps and Apple are in English). Interestingly....the GR Yaris woman is British and the Corolla Touring woman is American.

[john cooper]

  On 4/9/2025 at 2:43 AM, iRage said:

😮 
This is just ridiculous! But also I can see how our guys would abuse the system if it was not present. Sad state of the country I suppose. But...this is apparently applicable since you are sending it to someone and not actually importing it for yourself.

About the infotainment system...in new cars the language can be changed. My Corolla Touring and GR Yaris are both JDM variants (like actual Japanese market variants) and everything from the info display on the speedometer to the warning messages some woman screams to the audio/video system is in English. The only things that are not in English are the built-in map/navi system (but Google maps and Apple are in English). Interestingly....the GR Yaris woman is British and the Corolla Touring woman is American.

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Are you the owner of the GR Yaris imported to the Island recently?

[Skyline R33]

  On 4/9/2025 at 2:43 AM, iRage said:

😮 
This is just ridiculous! But also I can see how our guys would abuse the system if it was not present. Sad state of the country I suppose. But...this is apparently applicable since you are sending it to someone and not actually importing it for yourself.

About the infotainment system...in new cars the language can be changed. My Corolla Touring and GR Yaris are both JDM variants (like actual Japanese market variants) and everything from the info display on the speedometer to the warning messages some woman screams to the audio/video system is in English. The only things that are not in English are the built-in map/navi system (but Google maps and Apple are in English). Interestingly....the GR Yaris woman is British and the Corolla Touring woman is American.

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Good to know. I guess there is not much benefit in sending a Car from Aussie in that case. The same guys who are sending cars from Aus also mentioned the Aussie cars in SL have a demand than Japanese ones. I was thinking the opposite as JDMs would be more popular and make body parts more available in the future.

[iRage]

  On 4/10/2025 at 11:05 AM, Skyline R33 said:

Good to know. I guess there is not much benefit in sending a Car from Aussie in that case. The same guys who are sending cars from Aus also mentioned the Aussie cars in SL have a demand than Japanese ones. I was thinking the opposite as JDMs would be more popular and make body parts more available in the future.

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Well...dont trust a word coming out of anyone who imports and sells cars. Whatever they want to sell the most is the best car on the face of the planet while the others are garbage.
as for the Aussie spec preference...never heard of it before. Granted for some models the Aussie spec is more practical for SL. E.g. Aus got a 1.5L CRV and the smallest engine for the Japanese market was 2L. So the Aus spec is cheaper to import to SL. There was a time the importers said that these CRVs were made in Japan, etc..but then people soon became aware that it is not always the case.
So your assumption/belief is accurate. Where Lankans are concerned JDM is the "best". Even if the thing was made in SL, exported to Japan, coming from Japan makes it best. Followed by Toyota is the best. Even if it is a rust bucket falling apart.

 

  On 4/10/2025 at 12:31 AM, john cooper said:

Are you the owner of the GR Yaris imported to the Island recently?

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No...I can't afford to buy a new car in SL.
My GRY is red...imported one in SL is white. Mine if a First Edition (so pre-facelift) the imported one is a facelift

[fiat fan]

Am I the only one cringing at the prices of something like a Vezi?

[kush]

  On 4/11/2025 at 2:36 AM, iRage said:

Well...dont trust a word coming out of anyone who imports and sells cars. Whatever they want to sell the most is the best car on the face of the planet while the others are garbage.
as for the Aussie spec preference...never heard of it before. Granted for some models the Aussie spec is more practical for SL. E.g. Aus got a 1.5L CRV and the smallest engine for the Japanese market was 2L. So the Aus spec is cheaper to import to SL. There was a time the importers said that these CRVs were made in Japan, etc..but then people soon became aware that it is not always the case.
So your assumption/belief is accurate. Where Lankans are concerned JDM is the "best". Even if the thing was made in SL, exported to Japan, coming from Japan makes it best. Followed by Toyota is the best. Even if it is a rust bucket falling apart.

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This is a age old thing I remember when I decided on the CRV in 2013 the story was that it was inferior to the JDM. My cousin's husband got a JDM while I went ahead with the Brand new. When the cars got delivered I compared them side to side and they were identical apart from the gear box / drive train and starter key. My car was higher spec and the price difference is was only 2-3 hundred rupees more for mine.

[iRage]

  On 4/13/2025 at 3:32 AM, kush said:

This is a age old thing I remember when I decided on the CRV in 2013 the story was that it was inferior to the JDM. My cousin's husband got a JDM while I went ahead with the Brand new. When the cars got delivered I compared them side to side and they were identical apart from the gear box / drive train and starter key. My car was higher spec and the price difference is was only 2-3 hundred rupees more for mine.

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Happening right now with the Hilux. Car sales were harping about the JAPAN GR Sport Hilux, suggesting they were better. But someone realised that the Thai spec with the 2.8L engine was actually better (more aggressive body kit and more power) they sheepishly changed their story .
The reality is the Japanese market is more or less dead when it comes to specialty vehicles/specs (local demand for cars like the GR Supra, GR Yaris, and GR Corolla are tapering off too as most are bought by car exporters). Most of the owners of cars like sporty ALtos, GRY/GRC are old people (e.g. myself). So whenever manufacturers introduce "sporty" versions of mass models they offer it in a very conservative manner to attract the average family man (actually, his wife). Interestingly, for cars like the GR Corolla and GR Yaris, they have to go absolutely opposite of that to convince the existing GRC/GRY owners to change their cars. So...JDM spec is not as special as export spec when it comes to global models.