The price on a listing is the stone, not what you pay to receive it at your door. International buyers should budget for licensed export from Sri Lanka, insured freight, and import charges in your country. We quote a full landed-cost estimate in WhatsApp before you pay.
- All figures below are illustrative guides only, not a quote or guarantee.
- Import duty, VAT/GST, and brokerage vary by country and change over time. Registered businesses may recover VAT/GST in some jurisdictions.
- We confirm your landed-cost estimate in writing before payment. Ask your customs broker or jeweller if you need country-specific advice.
How export from Sri Lanka works
Every legal gem export passes through the NGJA. We handle documentation and sealing; you receive tracking once the parcel ships.
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Sale agreed
Price, stone identity, and destination country are confirmed in writing (WhatsApp or invoice) before export is booked.
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NGJA submission
The stone is presented to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) with a commercial invoice showing FOB value, per-carat weight, and piece count.
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Inspection and sealing
NGJA valuers and customs gem appraisers examine the parcel. It is sealed under NGJA rules before it leaves Sri Lanka.
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Insurance
Coverage is arranged per NGJA requirements for the declared FOB band (under $200, $201–$1,000, $1,001–$3,000, and above).
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Export service fee
NGJA export service fees are paid based on the declared value band. This is separate from the stone price and from freight.
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Handover to carrier
The sealed parcel is released to EMS, a commercial courier, air cargo, or secured logistics depending on value and corridor.
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Tracking and import
You receive tracking once the parcel ships. At destination you (or your broker) clear customs, pay any duty/VAT/GST and brokerage, and take delivery.
How we choose the export channel
| Stone value | Typical method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under ~$500 | EMS or economical tracked courier | Lowest overhead for small parcels; typically 7–14 days; NGJA-sealed and tracked. |
| $500 – $3,000 | Insured commercial courier | Better speed and security while keeping costs proportionate to stone value. |
| $3,000 – $10,000+ | Secured logistics (e.g. Malca-Amit / M.A. Lanka, Colombo) | Door-to-door insured service for high-value goods; quoted per shipment. |
| Urgent / collector | NGJA-approved hand-carry | Case-by-case when a buyer or agent travels; airport customs endorsement required. |
For higher-value shipments we can arrange secured export through licensed channels such as Malca-Amit / M.A. Lanka in Colombo, the same class of service used for diamonds and gemstones worldwide. Rates are quoted per corridor and insured value, not published as a fixed tariff.
Destination corridors
Loose cut gemstones (HS / CN 7103) are often duty-free into UK, EU, US, and Australia, but VAT, GST, and courier brokerage still apply. UAE adds import duty on gems.
United Kingdom
- Import duty (typical)
- 0% on loose cut gems (HS 7103)
- VAT / GST (typical)
- 20% VAT on goods + freight + insurance
- Brokerage
- Courier clearance often ~£25–75 per entry
European Union (e.g. Germany, France, Netherlands)
- Import duty (typical)
- 0% on loose cut gems (CN 7103)
- VAT / GST (typical)
- 19–25% import VAT depending on member state
- Brokerage
- Often ~€50–150 per entry via broker or courier
Post-Brexit UK is separate from EU import rules.
United States
- Import duty (typical)
- Often 0% on loose cut coloured gems
- VAT / GST (typical)
- No federal VAT; state sales tax may apply
- Brokerage
- Commercial courier brokerage above informal-entry thresholds
Australia
- Import duty (typical)
- 0% on loose cut gems
- VAT / GST (typical)
- 10% GST on import (goods + freight + insurance)
- Brokerage
- Courier clearance; GST registered businesses may recover GST
United Arab Emirates
- Import duty (typical)
- ~5% on loose gems
- VAT / GST (typical)
- 5% VAT
- Brokerage
- Courier may clear under ~USD 5,000; above that a customs broker is often required
High-value UAE imports frequently need a broker at Dubai airport or free-zone agent.
Landed cost by stone value (illustrative)
A USD 100 stone often lands around USD 220–350 to the UK, EU, US, or Australia via economical tracked export, but can reach USD 400–500+ with premium secured courier, maximum insurance, or heavy destination brokerage. UAE buyers should also budget ~5% import duty plus 5% VAT on top of freight.
| Stone | SL export + freight | Destination charges | Landed typical | Landed high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $70–120 | $45–90 | $215–310 | $350–500 |
| $500 | $90–150 | $80–150 | $670–800 | $900–1,100 |
| $1,000 | $110–200 | $120–250 | $1,230–1,450 | $1,600–1,900 |
| $2,000 | $140–250 | $180–400 | $2,320–2,650 | $2,900–3,400 |
| $5,000 | $200–400 | $350–800 | $5,550–6,200 | $6,800–7,500 |
| $10,000+ | Quote | Quote | Confirm in writing | n/a |
- $100: Fixed fees dominate, always ask for an itemized quote
- $500: Overhead still significant vs stone price
- $1,000: NGJA insurance band step-up
- $2,000: Better landed-cost ratio than small stones
- $5,000: Secured courier common at this level
- $10,000+: Malca-Amit-style logistics or broker likely
Before you pay
- Confirm the exact stone, carat, and agreed price.
- Tell us your destination country (and city if relevant).
- Ask for a written landed-cost estimate: stone + export/freight/insurance + your estimated duty, VAT/GST, and brokerage.
- Review listing video and stills before committing, international sales rely on our media as your primary inspection.
- Approve the full estimate before payment. The listing price alone is never the doorstep total.
Returns are handled case by case. We review genuine misrepresentation individually; preference on colour or face-up look alone is not grounds on its own. Returns policy →