Before request to the import permit, the importer should register according to the Seed Act (Please contact Deputy Director Seed Certification Service, Gannoruwa Tel: 0812238552, fax: 081-2388077, E-mail: scppc@sltnet.lk ).

Import of new varieties of vegetable seeds, field crop seeds and fruit seeds (Papaya and water melon):

When new vegetable varieties or allowed fruits varieties are imported, it should be conducted two season evaluation trials in the relevant research institute and a demonstration trial in the farmer field in large scale before commercial approval. For this Importer should request to the relevant Director of the research institute of Department of Agriculture along with the duly filled import permit application and catalogue of new varieties to be imported.

For new varieties of vegetable seed import, Please refer the Guidelines for the testing of vegetable varieties imported by the private seed companies, published by Horticultural Crops Research and Development Institute Department of Agriculture, Peradeniya (www.doa.gov.lk).

Import of Already Imported/Importing Seeds by another/new importer

Need a agreement letter from sypplayer

Importation of Seeds for Green House Cultivations

Seeds of Department of Agriculture (DOA) approved varieties of high value crops(Tomato, Lettuce, Cucumber, Sweet Pepper and Sweet Melon) having net weight less than 5 Kg can be imported only for green house cultivation with exemption of requirement of ISTA certificate. You have to assure that seeds are not re sell or used for open field cultivation.

Submit dully filled import permit applications with approval of Director General of Agriculture to the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) in order to consider issuing of Import Permits.

By considering the seed availability in the country, import quantity and import season of some seeds are decided by the Director General of Agriculture (Tel: 0812 388 331) e.g. pole bean (Phaseoluscoccineus), onion (Allium cepa) -for planting, and ground nut (Arachishypogaea) -for consumption