Customs clearance services for goods arriving by air are now operating around the clock, following concerns raised by small and medium enterprises over delays in the clearance process.
The change comes after a recent meeting between Dr Mohamed Muizzu and representatives of SMEs, where businesses highlighted operational challenges linked to limited clearance hours. At the meeting, the administration indicated that air cargo clearance would be expanded from the existing 18-hour schedule to a full 24-hour service to ease pressure on businesses.
An announcement by Maldives Customs Service has since confirmed that the extended operating hours are now in effect.
The move is part of a broader set of measures discussed with SMEs aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency in cargo handling. Among these is a planned extension of the demurrage-free period from 80 hours to 124 hours, addressing concerns that high demurrage charges were resulting in financial losses for importers.
Authorities have also indicated that issues affecting both airport and seaport operations will be reviewed as part of ongoing efforts to improve trade facilitation and ease the operational burden on businesses reliant on imports.
