Sri Lanka Customs has detained a shipment of 22,950 metric tons of imported salt, valued at over Rs. 910 million, after it was found non-compliant with national standards and imported past the government’s permitted deadline, according to Customs sources.

Officials stated that the consignment, one of the largest imported this year, was refused release due to the absence of a Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) certification and for violating import deadlines set after the temporary relaxation of salt import restrictions earlier in 2025.

Sources revealed that the SLSI at one point declined to issue a standardisation certificate for the entire shipment stored on a vessel, indicating that the salt did not meet the required quality standards.

The government had lifted restrictions on salt imports until June 10, following a Cabinet decision on May 15, to address a severe salt shortage caused by adverse weather that disrupted local production. Under that decision, permission was granted to import up to 150,000 metric tons of salt to stabilise the market.

During the first nine months of 2025, Sri Lanka imported a total of 143,655 metric tons of salt, valued at Rs. 5.7 billion, including taxes. Of this, 120,705 metric tons have been cleared by Customs so far, officials added.