Sri Lanka fashion exports to UK expected to rise on tariff-free access

The reforms to the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme means Sri Lanka manner manufacturers tin present root up to 100% of materials globally portion maintaining zero UK tariffs.

Plus, less processing requirements present apply, removing the erstwhile regularisation that 2 important manufacturing processes indispensable instrumentality spot successful Sri Lanka.

The liberalised rules besides see the instauration of an Asia Regional Cumulation Group of 18 countries applicable to each different exports from Sri Lanka. This enables Sri Lankan manufacturers to root materials from determination partners whilst maintaining preferential tariff benefits.

The changes are said to beryllium successful effect to requests from galore businesses and countries, including the Sri Lankan authorities and the Joint Apparel Association Forum.

The UK is Sri Lanka's 2nd largest garment export marketplace astatine astir $675m successful value.

Sri Lanka's Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) caput wide Yohan Lawrence explained: “The reforms to the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme region erstwhile restrictions requiring materials to beryllium sourced regionally. Sri Lankan manufacturers tin present vie arsenic by accessing planetary proviso chains. The garment assemblage accounts for implicit 60% of Sri Lanka's exports to the UK and supports 1 cardinal livelihoods crossed the country. It is simply a important boost for our export imaginable to an important market, and we are excited to enactment with buyers and manufacturers successful creating important maturation from this opportunity."

The President of the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) Mark Surgenor added:
“We are excited for the imaginable that the reforms volition bring successful enhancing the UK-Sri Lanka commercialized relationship. The astir important boost is to the garment sector. But with implicit 90% of products eligible for zero tariffs nether the UK’s DCTS, we anticipation exports from different sectors volition besides prehend the benefits arising from the instauration of a larger fig of determination countries from whom they tin present root inputs. We are keen to spot greater utilisation of the DCTS. This volition signifier portion of the CBB’s ongoing accusation sessions aimed astatine supporting Sri Lankan businesses successful increasing their commercialized with the UK.”

Earlier this month, the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) revealed Sri Lanka’s planetary apparel exports roseate by 5.42% year-over-year successful the archetypal 11 months of 2025 to $4.57bn.

"Sri Lanka manner exports to UK expected to emergence connected tariff-free access" was primitively created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.

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