Overview

The recorded history of Maldives Customs is traced to 1890, although government export/import tax administrative infrastructure was functional long before that, too. Since 11th November 1998, the Customs Administration of Maldives is known as Maldives Customs Service and is currently headed by Minister of State, Principal Collector of Customs Hon. Mr. Mohamed Aswan and has over 700 staff working in Male’ and in 8 regional offices.

Maldives Customs Service became a Member of the World Customs Organization on 8th September 1995 and is also a member of Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO). Currently, Maldives Customs Service has bilateral agreements and understandings with India, USA, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia and China. The Maldives Customs Service is mandated with the responsibility of assisting the Government of the Maldives in collecting and protecting state export/import tax revenue, preserving social values and norms; enforcing compliance with border protection laws; facilitating trade promotion to enhance economic activity by ensuring that persons, goods and conveyance enter and exit the Republic of Maldives in accordance with regulatory procedures.

Modern Customs principles dynamically conceptualized and managed on best practices paradigm

• Continuous Training and Development programmes are conducted in the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, an in-house training facility, which has affiliate status with the University of Canberra, Centre for Customs and Excise Studies.
• Customs operational data classified on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System and processed through ASYCUDA++ and using high level applied Information Technology
• Applying Code of Conduct principles based on the Arusha Declaration.
• Emphasizing Transparency & Integrity
• Applying Service Delivery Standards
• Dynamic Business Partnership arrangements.
• Public responsive intelligence collection system and networking with other enforcement agencies.
• Cargo and passenger clearance using Risk Management principles.

Highlights

• Second largest contributor to the country’s revenue.
• One of the oldest government organizations and is the first government organization to have a live computer network for delivering customer services.
• Has a socially active recreation club (the Customs Recreational Club CRC),which participates in national sports,media entertainment and social events.

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