The Maldives Customs Service has announced that all previously granted duty exemption allowances for the import of vape and energy drinks will be removed from next month onwards. Deputy Chief Superintendent Ahmed Niyaz made the announcement last night during an interview with state media, Public Service Media (PSM).
Niyaz detailed that this decision is part of the new amendments to the general regulations of Customs, bringing about two significant changes. The first major change is the removal of duty exemptions for specific imports, effective from 1st August.
“The duty exemption previously allowed for cigarettes, other tobacco products, vape appliances, and energy drinks will be removed starting 1st August,” Niyaz stated. He explained that this move aligns with international health treaties signed by the Maldives, which discourage exemptions for products such as tobacco.
The items that will no longer receive exemptions include:
• Cigarettes
• Vape appliances
• Energy drinks
• Plastic bags
• Single-use plastics
• Land vehicles
The second significant change is the increase in the import duty exemption threshold from MVR 6,000 to MVR 10,000, effective from 1st July 2023. This threshold had been reduced to MVR 6,000 in 2013 from its previous level of MVR 20,000 set 20 years ago.
Niyaz explained the rationale behind this change, stating, “The biggest reason for increasing this allowance is to expedite the clearance of shipments, particularly those from popular international retailers like Shein. When the allowance was limited to MVR 6,000, parcels had to be opened and checked. With the limit increased to MVR 10,000, shipments can be cleared without the need for opening and document verification.”
However, Niyaz emphasised that this increased allowance is not intended for local businesses. The exemption will not apply if the quantity of imported items suggests they are intended for commercial purposes.
These regulatory changes reflect the Maldives’ commitment to international health standards and aim to streamline the customs process for personal imports while maintaining oversight over commercial imports.
