LNP – Circular permitting migrant workers to import electric vehicles issued

A circular allowing migrant workers to import an electric vehicle was issued yesterday (August 31) by the Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry.

Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said in his tweet yesterday that the circular relating to the above matter was released while letting migrant workers import four-wheeler or two-wheeler electric vehicles as an incentive to promote remittance through legal and formal channels.

He mentioned that the money transmitted from May 2022 is eligible and will come to an end in December 2022.

According to the circular, the ministry said that migrant workers should transmit 50% or less of their remittance through legal channels to be eligible to get this permit.

Migrant workers should transfer more than US$3,000 (lesser than US$25,000) between May 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023, to be eligible to import an electric motorcycle under the HS code 8711.

Migrant workers have transferred US$ 20,000 (maximum of US$65,000) or more between May 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, will be eligible to import an electric motor car under the HS code 8703 (Commercial vehicles HS code 8704, double cab, van or a tipper).

The electric vehicles that they import should have a minimum three-year manufacturer’s warranty for the battery pack and the electric motor. should also fulfil the electric vehicle road safety standards. The vehicle should have the manufacturer’s guarantee to take responsibility for the disposal of the used battery in accordance with approved standard procedures.

The electric vehicle should not be a used or pre owned one, and the vehicle’s speedometer should indicate zero. The manufacture date of the vehicle should be less than six months from the date of manufacture. For four-wheeled electric vehicles, the minimum driving distance should be 200 km on a single charge.

Meanwhile, strict legal action will be sought against those who submit fraudulent documents to obtain the import permit, the ministry warned