Customs -Procedures

Import Procedure

Goods entering the Republic of Maldives must go through four main customs procedures before they can be imported:-

Valuation
Documentation
Payment of Duty
Examination & Release of Cargo

The speed of these processes is mainly dependent on the clarity of the documents submitted by the importer and the amount of information provided in the documents.

Valuation

All commercial imports must have acompanying invoices which are subjected to the Customs invoices valuation process for duty calculation. In this regard, the importer should submit the following documents to the Valuation Section of the Maldives Customs Service:

Original and three copies of the commercial invoice.
Bill of Lading or the Air Way Bill
Packing list
Bank documents

When the invoice valuation process is completed the importer will be given a copy of the Maldives Customs Service endorsed commercial invoice stipulating the value of the goods sought to be imported as determined by the Maldives Customs Service. Duty for the goods so imported would be levied on the basis of the approved prices.

Documentation

The importer should fill in the Customs Declaration Form based on the Maldives Customs Service endorsed commercial invoice. The following documents should then be submitted to the Documentation Section of the Maldives Customs Service:

Maldives Customs Service endorsed commercial invoice
Two sets of Customs Declaration Forms

These documents will be verified by the Documentation Section and assessed for the duty to be levied on the goods. After ssessment, the importer will be given an endorsed copy of the declaration for the payment of the duty. Upon payment of duty, the cargo is ready for examination.

EDI/DTI Services

Import/Export documents can be submitted to the Customs through EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) or DTI (Direct Trader Input (DTI). However, only authorized users can access these services.

Examination and Release of Cargo

When the importer requests the Examination Section to examine the goods for clearance, the Maldives Customs Service officers assigned for the examination will inspect them as the final stage in the Customs process, and finally the goods will be released.

Export Procedure

Goods exporting from the Republic of Maldives go through the following procedure depending on the country/type of goods exported:

Declaration
Examination & Release of Cargo
Documentation

Declaration

Exporter submits the Application for Export Cargo Examination with:

3 copies of Completed Application for Export Cargo Examination.
Relevant forms for preferential trade where applicable.

Examination

When the exporter requests the Examination Section to examine the goods for exportation, the Maldives Customs Service officers assigned for the examination will inspect them as the final stage in the Customs process, and finally the goods will be released to export.

Documentation

The Documentation for the Declared goods exported is completed within 24 hours of cargo exportation. The Declaration is accompanied with the following documents:

Goods Declaration
Invoice (with FOB value)
Exporter copy of the Examination Form
Airway Bill/Bill of lading copy
Packing List
Pro-forma Aquarium Fish Export Form (Issued by Marine Research Center) for live fish
Trade permit.

Transit Procedure