Customs seizes 400 vapes at Male commercial port
The items were discovered during an inspection of a sea freight shipment declared as normal cargo.
Maldives Customs has seized 400 vapes from a shipment brought to the commercial port of Male.
In a statement issued Thursday, Customs confirmed the seizure but did not specify when the shipment arrived.
According to the statement, the items were discovered during an inspection of a sea freight shipment declared as normal cargo. Upon further investigation, officials found a package containing 400 vape devices.
Customs stated that the case is under further investigation.
Under last year’s amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, the importation, use, and distribution of vapes are prohibited in the Maldives. The law also prescribes fines for violations, including:
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Importing vaping devices and related products: MVR 50,000 fine, with an additional MVR 10,000 per electronic cigarette or vaping device.
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Selling such devices or products: MVR 20,000 fine, with an additional MVR 10,000 per item sold.
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Distributing such devices or products free of charge: MVR 10,000 fine.
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Selling or distributing such devices or products to a child: Additional MVR 50,000 fine.
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Using such products: MVR 5,000 fine.
