Tourists allowed to bring 10 cigarette packets

Maldives on Saturday announced a change to the regulations concerning the importation of tobacco and nicotine-containing products by tourists.

On the 5th of this month, customs authorities revoked the previous duty concessions on these products and mandated that all nicotine-containing items must be declared at customs.

Initially, the revised rules stated that tourists could bring in a maximum of 19 cigarettes. Any amount exceeding this limit would be seized by customs, aiming to reduce the influx of tobacco products into the country and promote public health.

In a subsequent move, customs authorities issued a circular that adjusted these stringent limitations. Under the new guidelines, tourists are now allowed to bring in up to 200 cigarettes.

The updated import regulations are as follows:

These changes come after the postponement of duty concessions on tobacco, shisha, and e-cigarette products twice before their eventual discontinuation this month.

Additionally, amendments to the Import Export Act, effective from the 1st of this month, have increased the tax on imported cigarettes and hand-rolled bidi.

Moreover, the Tobacco Control Act is being updated to enforce a ban on the importation of vaping products and related components starting on the 15th of this month.

While the duty on tobacco products has become more restrictive, there is a notable increase in duty exemptions for personal goods brought by tourists. Tourists are now entitled to import personal items worth up to MVR 10,000 without paying duties, as per the 'Duty Exemption on Goods Imported by Tourists, Small Useful Goods, and Business Samples' regulation.