https://www.southeastasiadreams.com/assets/templates/2021/images/inner-pages/travel_info_tips.jpg Travel Info & Tips Shopping in this part of Asia is itself a treat. Sri Lanka has wonderful jewelry, handloom textiles, books and handicrafts and we know that you maybe like to shop along the way to take something home.
Travel Info & Tips

Travel Info & Tips

Shopping in Sri Lanka

Shopping in this part of Asia is itself a treat.  Sri Lanka has wonderful jewelry, handloom textiles, books and handicrafts and we know that you maybe like to shop along the way to take something home.  

Sri Lanka Tea Plantation in the High mountains

Sri Lanka is also on of the most popular tea producing country in the world. The climate in the mountains provide perfect conditions to produce high-quality tea. Ceylon Tea is the best thing Sri Lanka has to offer.

Kandy is probably the best place to buy jewelry from a price-quality perspective, as there are many outlets to compare. The Paradise Road in Colombo is the best marketplace in Sri Lanka where one can shop for the best of locally sourced crockery, souvenirs, handicrafts, artifacts, and so much more.  

Shopping Paradise Sri LankaBartering over the price of your souvenir is widely expected for all kind of transactions, including the hiring of tuk tuks up to purchase of handicraft.  Most sellers will quote you a higher price and therefore it is strongly recommended to bargaining.  Bargaining is best carried out in a light-hearted, courteous manner; aggressive haggling will offend the seller and may increase the price.  Malls and modern shops have adopted the western habits and bartering is not possible.

Please note that we never officially recommend any shopping outlets as we are not able to guarantee for the quality of the goods they are selling. Any recommendation by your driver or guide are solely their own view and not constitute our recommendations.  Be careful what you buy and be aware that you maybe face additional and unexpected costs for tax, handling charges, customs, and delivery fees.  Check out what you are allowed and not allwed to take free of additinal charges.
 
local markets around Sri Lanka
 

VAT Refund

The Inland Revenue Department of Sri Lanka has implemented from the 11th of September 2018 and introduced the Tourist VAT Refund System (TVRS) for visitors to the country .
 
Who is eligibilty to get VAT refund in Sri Lanka?
  • Should be a Non-Citizen and Non-Resident of Sri Lanka.
  • Visa type - Visitor Visa issued by the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka.
  • Should be over eighteen years old as of the date you visit Sri Lanka.
  • Should have stayed in Sri Lanka less than ninety days at the date of refund claim.
VAT Refund for ToursitHow to claim your VAT refund? 
  • Visit Shops with this 'Tax Free Shopping Sri Lanka" sign on their store displaying.
  • It is required that you have a minimum of LKR.50,000 (Exclusive of VAT) worth of VAT liable purchases, consisting of a maximum of Three (3) commercial invoices issued on the same day by the same retailer and have to obtain a tourist VAT refund Invoice (TVRI) from the same authorized retailers by providing the commercial invoices along with passport.
  • You need to apply for the VAT refund by using a TVRS application form. Brochure with Application form for Tourist VAT refund
  • Goods should be taken out of Sri Lanka either as baggage or hand luggage as they have to be available for physical verification at the Customs point