Maldives Customs Service has announced that exporters can now apply online for the Certificate of Origin required for goods exported to China under the Maldives-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Starting 15 August, applications will be available through the Customs portal, where exporters can submit the necessary documents and payments. Approval notifications will also be issued via the portal, streamlining the process for businesses.
The Maldives-China FTA, signed in 2014 and ratified by Parliament in 2017, saw its implementation delayed following a change in administration in 2018. The agreement came into full effect on 1 January this year under the current administration.
Under the FTA, all fishery products produced and processed in the Maldives can be exported to China at a zero-rate tariff. This includes 296 seafood categories such as sea cucumber, salted fish, grouper, mariculture products, skipjack tuna, and yellowfin tuna. The arrangement is expected to enhance the export potential of Maldivian seafood, the country’s largest export commodity.
