The Maldives has recently updated its regulations on tobacco and nicotine products brought in by tourists.
As of October 5th, customs authorities have removed prior duty concessions on these items, now requiring all nicotine products to be declared at customs. Initially, these new rules limited tourists to a maximum of 19 cigarettes, with any extra cigarettes confiscated as part of a strategy to reduce tobacco imports and enhance public health.
However, a subsequent circular from customs eased these restrictions. Under the updated guidelines, tourists may now bring up to 200 cigarettes.
The current import allowances are as follows:
- Tourists with a tourist visa can bring up to 200 cigarettes (or 10 packs).
- Alternatively, they may bring up to 20 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.
- Any amounts exceeding these limits will be confiscated by customs and returned to the tourist upon their departure from the Maldives.
These new regulations also reflect recent changes to duty concessions on tobacco, shisha, and e-cigarette products—measures that had been postponed twice previously.
Further, as of October 1st, amendments to the Import Export Act have raised taxes on imported cigarettes and hand-rolled bidi. Starting October 15th, the Tobacco Control Act will also be updated to implement a ban on the import of vaping products and associated components.
While tobacco-related restrictions have tightened, the duty-free allowance for personal items brought by tourists has been increased. Tourists may now import personal items valued up to MVR 10,000 duty-free under the regulation, ‘Duty Exemption on Goods Imported by Tourists, Small Useful Goods, and Business Samples
