Complete settlement of duty mandated to clear tobacco products

Customs has amended regulations to mandate complete settlement of duty when clearing tobacco products.

The amended regulation states each product permitted for import and export in the Maldives will be registered to a bonded warehouse for oversight with exception of cigarettes, beedi (traditional cigarettes), e-cigarettes, vape and tobacco sticks that emit aerosol containing nicotine and other chemicals.  

It also mandates the complete settlement of duty when clearing tobacco products imported to the Maldives.

Other amendments in the regulation include:

Establishing bonded warehouses in areas under Custom’s control to store specified items

MVR 200,000 fine for each time found smuggling goods in secret without declaring on inward cargo manifest or outward cargo manifest or found participating in such an act

MVR 100,000 fine for each violation traveling or docking in violation of documents submitted to the Customs declaring the harbor the vessel will dock at and the route it will be taking to enter Maldivian territory

MVR 200,000 fine for turning off automatic identification system installed in vessels in Maldives

The amendment bans the import of alcohol, pork, products containing pork and tobacco products as ship stows.

However, such items can be released to an extent permitted by Customs as ship stows to a bonded warehouse with exception of import duty.