The Maldives Customs Service has announced updated guidelines for travelers bringing tobacco products into the country, effective from 9th November 2024. These changes, are part of the Fourth Amendment to the “Regulation on Packaging and Labelling of Tobacco Products. As well as the updated “Guideline on Duty Exemption for Goods Brought by Travelers, Personal Effects, and Commercial Samples.” It clarifies the new rules regarding tobacco products and duty-free allowances for tourists.
Revised Tobacco Importation Rules for Tourists
Starting on 9th November 2024, travelers entering the Maldives on a tourist visa can bring in a limited amount of tobacco products for personal use without paying duty. The following quantities of tobacco products are eligible for duty exemption:
- 200 cigarettes, or
- 25 cigars, or
- 250 grams of tobacco.
What Happens if You Exceed the Limits?
If travelers bring more than the allowed quantities, Customs will keep the excess items for up to 30 days. However, tourists can collect these items at the departure terminal of Velana International Airport (VIA) from the Customs counter before leaving the Maldives.
Tobacco Products for Non-Tourist Travelers
For travelers who are not on a tourist visa, Customs will confiscate any tobacco products that do not meet the Ministry of Health’s labeling requirements.
New Regulations on Tobacco and Nicotine Products
Since 1st August 2024, the Maldives has enforced new rules for importing tobacco and nicotine products. These rules affect conventional and flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookah (sheesha), and e-liquids. As a result, Customs now enforces stricter requirements on these items, and some tobacco products are no longer eligible for duty exemptions.
Duty Exemption for Other Goods and Updated Cap on Personal Goods
In addition to the changes in tobacco importation, the Maldives Customs Service raised the duty exemption cap for goods brought by travelers, personal effects, and commercial samples, effective from 1st July 2024. The cap increased from MVR 6,000 to MVR 10,000, based on the Free on Board (FOB) value of the goods.
Exemption Details
- Personal use goods: Goods with an FOB value below MVR 10,000 qualify for duty exemption.
- Goods exceeding an FOB value of MVR 10,000: A goods declaration is required, and duty will be calculated after deducting MVR 10,000 from the FOB value.
- Commercial quantities: If goods with an FOB value below MVR 10,000 are considered commercial quantities, travelers must file a declaration. Customs will assess duty based on the total FOB value of the shipment.
Medicines and Postal Consignments
- Medicines: Travelers can bring in prescribed medicines for personal use, covering quantities for up to six months, and these will be exempt from duty.
- Courier or postal consignments: These shipments will also enjoy duty exemption if the FOB value of each tracking number is below MVR 10,000. Multiple consignments under the same person can qualify for exemption as long as each individual consignment stays below the MVR 10,000 value.
Items No Longer Qualifying for Duty Exemption
Despite the raised exemption limit, some items no longer qualify for duty exemption. These items include:
- Tobacco and nicotine products (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookah, and e-liquids),
- Single-use plastic items,
- Energy drinks,
- Motorcycles, autocycles, and four-wheeled vehicles,
- Maritime vessels,
- Automotive and marine spare parts,
- Items imported by individuals identified by Customs for misuse or non-personal/commercial use.
Key Takeaways for Travelers
- Travelers entering the Maldives on a tourist visa can bring in limited quantities of tobacco products for personal use without paying duty.
- If travelers exceed these limits, Customs will hold the excess items but allow tourists to collect them at the departure terminal of Velana International Airport before leaving.
- Tobacco products (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookah, and e-liquids) now face stricter rules, with some products no longer qualifying for duty exemption since 1st August 2024.
- The duty exemption cap for personal goods has been raised to MVR 10,000 (up from MVR 6,000), but tobacco products will not be included in this exemption.
Travelers should stay informed and comply with these new regulations to ensure smooth entry into the Maldives. The Maldives Customs Service encourages all passengers to review these changes carefully and cooperate with Customs officials.
