Policy, Planning and Research Division was set-up as a separate Directorate in Sri Lanka Customs. This Division is mainly
responsible for advising / assisting in formulation of departmental policies and procedures; in preparation of performance plans; in co-ordination
with national and international agencies on policy and procedural related issues (except in the areas of intelligence and training); and in conducting
research.
Co-ordination with the Ministry of Finance on matters related to policy and guidelines was strengthened with the appointment of a staff officer from
this Division to assume duty as a customs advisor to the Ministry
Advise/assist in formulation of policies and procedures on Customs functions and activities related thereto.
Implement Government's policy decisions relating to collection of revenue, tariff,commodity classification and trade etc.
Advise / assist in preparing future plans, and in activities related to reform and modernization of the Department.
Co-ordinate with the Ministry of Finance on matters related to fiscal policy, preparation of Revenue Protection Orders etc.
Act as the focal point in co-coordinating with the Ministry of Finance.
Co-ordinate with government institutions and planning and policy formulation.
Prepare Annual Performance Report of the Department.
Co-ordination/liaison of international affairs on all matters, except in the areas of intelligence, and training.
Conduct research on matters related to tariff, trade and clearance procedures to evaluate outcome of policy decisions taken.
Attend to matters related to liaison / implementation of Free Trade Agreements / Arrangements.
Act as the focal point/ the secretariat for deciding / advising on HS. Commodity Classification System and related matters, through the Nomenclature Committee of the Department.
Act as the focal point / the secretariat for deciding /formulation of Customs Procedures and Practices, through the Procedures and Facilitation Committee of the Department.
Act as the focal point for co-ordination with the Tariff and Trade Cluster(TTC) of the National Council for Economic Development(NCED).
Act as the focal point /liaison officer for the WCO Regional Contact Point System.
Communicate policy decisions/procedures and orders to officers of the Department information and compliance.
Preparation of the tariff guide and publications related thereto for information of the officers and the public.
Assist the Department of Fiscal Policy of the Treasury in preparation of R.P.OO and other changes to the Tariff.
Review progress of key activities performed by the Department.
Attend to the matters relating to Free Trade Agreements/Arrangements.
Attend to all matters and inquiries with regard to the Customs tariff.
Convene, and attend to all matters connected to the Nomenclature Committee Meeting.
Convene, and attend to all matters connected to the Procedures & Facilitation Committee Meeting.
Attend to matters related with the TTC of the NCED.
Correspond with the World Customs Organization (WCO) on all matters connected with the activities of the Department,
including purchase of WCO publications, and payment of annual subscription to WCO.
Correspond with the WCO Asia- Pacific Office (RCP)
Correspond with international organizations and Customs Administrations on matters, except in the areas of intelligence and training.
Attend to matters connected to Memorandum of Understanding with other Customs Administrations.
Provide information on activities of the Department to general public.
Manage the Customs Information Desk.
Obtain reports of officers who participated at seminars, conferences, workshops, trainings etc., and take follow up action, in regard to policy, planning,
Customs procedures and best practices.
Conduct research on matters related to tariff, trade, clearance procedures etc.
Preparation and issuance of Departmental Orders (DOPL).
Preparation and Publishing of Manuals of Procedures.
Preparation of the Annual Performance Report of the Department.
Preparation and Publishing of Rate of Exchange Notifications.
Preparation of Draft Cabinet Memorandum on behalf of the Department.
Preparation of the Incentive Payments List of the Department.
Upgrade the Harmonized System Nomenclature.
Publicize NC Committee decisions.
Study best practices followed by other Customs Administrations in order to adopt, where feasible and applicable.
