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Operational Restrictions
Operational Restrictions

1. Road Limitation

  • Max permissible load on road = total weight of truck + Chassis + total weight of container
  • maximum width: No limitation
  • maximum height: No limitation
  • maximum weight (cargo + container + tractor + chassis): 30 MT
  • Road Development Authority has to be informed of the route, vehicle category & type for over-dimension cargo.
  • City Traffic Police has imposed a ban on moving of heavy vehicles, including containers, between 6am to 9am on week days, for security reasons.

2. Rail Limitation

  • Max permissible load on rail = tare weight of wagon + total weight of container.
  • Containers are not transported by rail in Sri Lanka.

3. Dangerous Cargo

  • Radioactive materials are prohibited
  • Following commodities are "carriage prohibited":
    • Ammonium Nitrite
    • Ammonium Permanganate
    • Chlorate of Ammonium
    • Methyl Nitrite
    • Nitrites, Inorganic, Mixtures with Ammonium compounds
    • Zinc Ammonium Nitrite
    • Arms & Ammunitions - Prohibited from transshipment in Colombo
  • Handling restriction is imposed on IMDG Class 1 cargo and has to be either load from a barge / discharged into one for transporting to special storage area. All other DG cargoes can be discharged alongside at all berths.
  • DG declaration must be submitted to Sri Lanka Port Authority Safety Section at least 02 (two) working days prior vessel's arrival.
  • All DG cargo containers are usually taken to a separate yard ( Kochchikade Warehouse ) which is away from the berths.
  • If any DG cargo is found in a LCL container, such cargo will be kept in container pending collection by the consignee concerned.
  • Any cargo, regardless of FCL/LCL, only 3 clear days are given for free storage.

4. Partial BL

  • Shipment to Sri Lanka, ​Partial Bill of Lading for same container in ONE BL is not acceptable as per local customs requirement. 


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