The Gazette notification restricting the imports of 367 non-essential items without a valid licence has been issued, with effect from midnight today, the Department of Imports and Exports Control said.

Fish fillets and other fish meat, Milk and cream, buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, yogurt, butter and other fats and oils derived from milk; dairy spreads, cheese and curd, grapes, fresh or dried, apples, pears and chocolate, are some of the products of which imports have been restricted.

The Regulation is only be applicable to the importation of goods, which have the date of Bill of Lading/ Air Waybill on or after March 10, 2022.

Any importers, who intend to import any goods specified in the Gazette, are entitled to have a valid license issued by the Controller General of Imports and Exports Control prior to the date of Bill of Landing: Airway Bill of such importation.

The Gazette notification has been issued in such a situation where multiple parties have slammed the Government for not prioritizing the imports of essential goods, which has eventually led to a shortage of such goods.

List of 367 non-essential goods is as follows, (Sheain Fernandopulle)