If I buy a sapphire for an engagement ring during on a holiday in Sri Lanka will I have to declare it in the airport at customs (both leaving Sri Lanka and returning to the UK)? Will I have to pay fees?
I have been told so but it doesn't seem like that reading around on guides.
For instance I didn't find useful information on the Ministry of Finance Sri Lanka Customs Department. There they simply say:
Gem stones purchased in Sri Lanka can be exported either by Air freight or hand carried by the owner."
Also this German embassy page states:
Sri Lanka's most celebrated export Blue Sapphires, Cats Eyes, Rubies, Star Rubies, Star Sapphires, Alexandrites, Moonstones, Zircons, Garnets, Amethysts, Topaz, etc. are offered for sale at the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Exchange, 310 Galle Road, Colombo 3. A free gem testing service is provided to tourists.
and
the Gem Board offices in Colombo and Ratnapura can provide free taxation and official certificate.