Maldives Tobacco Import Rules for Tourists

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.

Read about the recent tax increases for travelers in the Maldives. These updates could affect your upcoming visit!

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, social commerce is redefining the way travelers discover, plan, and book their trips. On a recent episode of the Skift Podcast, Jeremy Jauncey, CEO of Beautiful Destinations,joined Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko to discuss the growing influence of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram on travel. Their insights highlight how brands and destinations can leverage these changes to engage modern travelers more effectively.

“We are in the most exciting time in the history of travel marketing,” said Jauncey, whose company Beautiful Destinations has pioneered high-quality digital storytelling to inspire wanderlust worldwide. “The way people discover travel is fundamentally different now. The traditional model of searching for a destination, visiting a travel agent, and booking through a website is rapidly being replaced by social commerce.”

Social commerce merges social media influence with direct consumer purchases, allowing users to discover destinations through organic content and seamlessly book their next trip without leaving the app. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become virtual travel agencies, where users find inspiration and make real-time booking decisions based on what they see.

According to Seth Borko, a senior research analyst at Skift, younger generations are driving this shift, placing greater trust in influencers and user-generated content over traditional advertisements.

“Millennials and Gen Z are scrolling through their feeds and seeing firsthand experiences from people they follow and admire. That authenticity is what makes them act,” Borko explained. “This isn’t just advertising; this is experiential storytelling with a call to action.”

Why Is Short-Form Video the Future of Travel Marketing?

One of the key drivers behind this transformation is short-form video content.

“Instagram Reels and TikTok have changed the game,” Jauncey noted. “A 15-second video can transport a user to a remote island in the Maldives or a street market in Bangkok. And with a simple tap, they can book a flight, hotel, or experience right there on the platform.”

Unlike traditional marketing strategies, which often require multiple steps from inspiration to booking, social commerce streamlines the process. Integrated ‘Book Now’ buttons and social-first travel agencies enable travelers to go from watching a video to confirming a reservation within minutes.

Sarah Kopit, Editor-in-Chief at Skift, emphasized the importance of adapting to these changing consumer behaviors.

“Travel companies that are still relying on static images and generic ads are falling behind,” Kopit stressed. “You need to be in the spaces where your audience spends time – and right now, that’s TikTok, Instagram, and even emerging platforms like BeReal.”

How Are Influencers and Community Engagement Driving Travel Bookings?

The conversation also highlighted the crucial role of content creators and travel influencers in driving bookings. Unlike traditional advertising, influencer marketing fosters trust through authenticity and relatability.

“Travelers want to see real people experiencing real moments,” Jauncey explained. “It’s no longer about polished, overproduced ads. It’s about storytelling through a lens that feels personal and attainable.”

This shift has led to the rise of micro-influencers—travel creators with smaller yet highly engaged audiences. These influencers often provide in-depth guides, real-time experiences, and unfiltered reviews, making their recommendations more credible.

“We’re seeing a shift away from big celebrity endorsements toward niche, passionate creators who actually visit and experience the places they promote,” Borko added. “They drive more conversions because their followers see them as trustworthy sources.”

What Does the Future of Travel Marketing Look Like?

As social commerce continues to expand, industry experts agree that travel brands must adapt or risk being left behind. Key takeaways from this discussion include:

• Short-form video is the future of travel marketing. Brands should invest in compelling, mobile-friendly content that captures users’ attention within seconds.

• Seamless booking experiences drive conversions. The fewer steps between inspiration and purchase, the higher the likelihood of bookings.

• Authenticity is key. Travelers engage more with real, relatable experiences from influencers and user-generated content.

• Community engagement matters. Travel brands that foster relationships with their audiences rather than solely pushing sales will see greater long-term success.

“The brands that will succeed in this new era of travel are the ones that recognize the power of social discovery and immediate action,” Jauncey concluded. “This is no longer the future – it’s happening right now.”

As the travel industry shifts toward experience-driven, mobile-first marketing, companies that embrace social commerce will be at the forefront of the next travel boom. For travel brands and destinations, the message is clear: adapt now, or risk being left behind in a world where the next viral destination is just one scroll away.

Maldives Tobacco Import Rules for Tourists: What’s New and What’s At Stake