BIZ

Minister scraps gazette which kept shipping companies’ arbitrary charges in check

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It is reported that importers are again facing difficulties after the cancellation of Gazette No. 2014/10 by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Importers claim that in this backdrop, shipping companies will be able to arbitrarily charge 40 other types of fees in addition to shipping fees.

This gazette, which was published on October 17, 2017 by the then subject minister – Mahinda Samarasinghe, was in place to protect importers and exporters from the fees charged arbitrarily by the shipping companies.

Thereby, all the charges related to loading, unloading, warehousing, etc. were initially paid by the shipping company and specific figures had to be announced.

However, after revoking the gazette, importers will have to bear all charges while it also creates a loophole to increase charges at will, finally putting that burden on the consumer.

Noting that will severely affect all essential food items such as sugar, dhal, rice etc., President of the Sugar Importers = Mr. P. Abeysekara points out that the cancellation of the gazette without quite realising its importance or without holding in discussions with relevant parties, could lead to many issues.

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