What is the typical shipping transit time from Myanmar to Colombo?

Liner container transit from Yangon to Colombo is approximately 4 to 6 days across the Bay of Bengal, making Myanmar the lowest-risk and fastest replenishment origin for Sri Lankan pulse importers.

What quarantine requirements apply to pulse imports into Sri Lanka?

All consignments must be inspected by the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) at Colombo. Cargoes must arrive with an official Phytosanitary Certificate stating the beans are free from live storage pests (such as Callosobruchus maculatus) and have undergone verified phosphine fumigation prior to container departure.

What grading specifications do Colombo buyers require?

Sri Lankan buyers prioritize moisture content strictly at or below 13.5% to prevent mould during coastal tropical storage, along with maximum 1.0% weevilled seed, maximum 1.0% foreign matter, and good seed colour without moisture staining.

How are banking and trade payments handled into Sri Lanka?

Shipments execute on irrevocable Letter of Credit (LC) or Documents Against Payment (DP) through accredited Sri Lankan commercial banks in compliance with Central Bank of Sri Lanka foreign exchange regulations.

Indian Ocean · Sri Lanka

Black-Eyed Beans Suppliers CFR Colombo, Sri Lanka

High-protein cowpeas and lobia discharging at the Port of Colombo for Sri Lankan wholesale food and dal markets

In Sri Lanka, pulses are a vital dietary staple consumed across the island in curries, breakfast foods and confectionery. Dried cowpeas and black-eyed beans (HS 0713.35) are imported through the Port of Colombo to supplement domestic highland cultivation, supplying wholesale merchants across the Pettah trading district in central Colombo.

Shipments arrive in 20ft dry containers holding approximately 24 metric tonnes packed in 50 kg polypropylene bags. Short-haul maritime transit from Yangon, Myanmar, across the Bay of Bengal provides the primary commercial volume, with secondary shipments from Madagascar and Peru. Under Sri Lankan Department of Agriculture National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) regulations, pulse consignments must be covered by a pre-issued Import Permit, an official Phytosanitary Certificate, and proof of effective phosphine fumigation at the loading port. Importers clear shipments under Ministry of Finance Special Commodity Levy (SCL) guidelines. CBIL brokers export-grade cowpeas CFR Colombo, verified by SGS or Intertek for count per 100g, moisture (max 13.5%), and clean seed purity.

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The market in figures

Entry port: Port of Colombo (JCT / CICT / SAGT container terminals)
Primary trading hub: Pettah wholesale commodity market, Colombo
Key supply origins: Myanmar (short-sea Bay of Bengal transit) · Madagascar · Peru
Quality standard: Export FAQ machine-cleaned & Double Sortex (480–520 count/100g)
Packaging format: 50 kg PP bags, approx. 24 MT per 20ft dry container
Import controls: NPQS Import Permit · Phytosanitary Certificate · Phosphine fumigation

Landed values are the importing country's declared CIF, not CBIL prices.

Questions buyers ask

What is the typical shipping transit time from Myanmar to Colombo?: Liner container transit from Yangon to Colombo is approximately 4 to 6 days across the Bay of Bengal, making Myanmar the lowest-risk and fastest replenishment origin for Sri Lankan pulse importers.
What quarantine requirements apply to pulse imports into Sri Lanka?: All consignments must be inspected by the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) at Colombo. Cargoes must arrive with an official Phytosanitary Certificate stating the beans are free from live storage pests (such as Callosobruchus maculatus) and have undergone verified phosphine fumigation prior to container departure.
What grading specifications do Colombo buyers require?: Sri Lankan buyers prioritize moisture content strictly at or below 13.5% to prevent mould during coastal tropical storage, along with maximum 1.0% weevilled seed, maximum 1.0% foreign matter, and good seed colour without moisture staining.
How are banking and trade payments handled into Sri Lanka?: Shipments execute on irrevocable Letter of Credit (LC) or Documents Against Payment (DP) through accredited Sri Lankan commercial banks in compliance with Central Bank of Sri Lanka foreign exchange regulations.