Ceylon Chamber’s Commercial Document Registration Division expands its range of export support services with the introduction of a Free Sale Letter for Pharmaceuticals, offering Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturers and exporters an additional certification service to strengthen compliance and facilitate access to international markets.
Ceylon Chamber’s Commercial Document Registration Division expands export support services
The new initiative broadens the services offered by the Commercial Documents Registration Division (CDRD) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, reinforcing its long-standing role in supporting Sri Lanka’s export sector through reliable trade documentation and certification services.
The newly introduced Free Sale Letter for Pharmaceuticals has been designed to assist pharmaceutical manufacturers and exporters in meeting documentation requirements imposed by overseas buyers, customs authorities and regulatory agencies. The certification helps verify that pharmaceutical products are freely sold in Sri Lanka, a requirement commonly requested by importing countries during product registration and market entry processes.
The latest addition expands CDRD’s existing portfolio of export documentation services, which already includes the issuance of Certificates of Origin and certification of a wide range of commercial documents required for international trade.
Established in 1925, the Commercial Documents Registration Division is one of Sri Lanka’s authorised institutions for issuing Certificates of Origin, supporting exporters for nearly a century. Over the decades, the Division has become an important partner for manufacturers, exporters, freight forwarders, logistics providers and other businesses involved in cross-border trade.
Its services help exporters ensure that commercial documentation complies with international trade requirements, reducing administrative delays while supporting smoother customs clearance and overseas transactions.
Beyond pharmaceutical certification, the Division certifies Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists, Price Lists, Health Certificates, Phytosanitary Certificates, Certificates of Analysis, Bills of Lading, Survey Reports and Beneficiary Certificates. It also issues Free Sale Letters and Surveyor Appointment Letters for businesses requiring specialised export documentation.
In addition to document certification, the Division supports exporters through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Electronic Document Attestation System (e-DAS), enabling secure and efficient authentication of export documents. The digital process simplifies document verification while improving convenience for businesses operating in international markets.
The Chamber has continued investing in technology to modernise its documentation services. Through its digital platform and e-service portal, exporters can submit applications, manage certification requirements and obtain approved documentation online throughout the year.
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the platform has been developed to improve the speed, accessibility and efficiency of trade documentation while ensuring that certified documents meet internationally recognised standards.
As global trade regulations continue to evolve, exporters increasingly require timely and accurate documentation to satisfy regulatory authorities and international buyers. Reliable certification services can help minimise administrative barriers, reduce processing delays and strengthen confidence among overseas trading partners.
The introduction of the pharmaceutical Free Sale Letter reflects the Chamber’s continued efforts to adapt its services to changing market requirements and the growing needs of Sri Lanka’s export-oriented industries. The pharmaceutical sector, in particular, has experienced rising demand for internationally recognised compliance documentation as companies expand into new regional and global markets.
By extending its service offering, the Commercial Documents Registration Division aims to provide exporters with more comprehensive support while contributing to Sri Lanka’s broader export development objectives.
With Ceylon Chamber’s Commercial Document Registration Division expands its certification services, exporters across multiple industries are expected to benefit from greater access to efficient documentation solutions that facilitate international trade, strengthen regulatory compliance and improve competitiveness in overseas markets.