Maldives updates tobacco import rules for tourists, increasing allowance to 200 cigarettes

The Maldives announced a change in its regulations on tobacco and nicotine-containing products brought in by tourists.

On October 5th, customs authorities removed previous duty concessions for these products, requiring all nicotine items to be declared at customs. The initial revision limited tourists to a maximum of 19 cigarettes, with any excess being confiscated to reduce tobacco imports and promote public health.

However, customs later issued a new circular, easing these limits. Under the revised guidelines, tourists may now bring up to 200 cigarettes.

The updated import rules are as follows:

• Tourists on a tourist visa can bring up to 200 cigarettes (or 10 packs).
• Alternatively, they may import 20 cigars or up to 250 grams of tobacco.
• Any quantity exceeding these limits will be seized by customs, with the items returned to tourists upon their departure from the Maldives.

These regulatory changes follow the recent discontinuation of duty concessions on tobacco, shisha, and e-cigarette products, which had been postponed twice before.

Additionally, amendments to the Import Export Act, effective October 1st, have raised the tax on imported cigarettes and hand-rolled bidi. Meanwhile, the Tobacco Control Act will be updated on October 15th to enforce a ban on importing vaping products and related components.

While the rules on tobacco products have become stricter, duty exemptions for personal goods brought by tourists have increased. Tourists can now import personal items worth up to MVR 10,000 duty-free under the ‘Duty Exemption on Goods Imported by Tourists, Small Useful Goods, and Business Samples’ regulation.