By In a significant move demonstrating President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to streamlining government services and enhancing public convenience, the President’s Office has announced comprehensive new customs regulations effective November 9, 2024. The reform, published in the Government Gazette, marks a major milestone in the administration’s efforts to modernize the Maldives’ import regulations while maintaining economic security.
Progressive Duty-Free Structure
The new framework, implemented under President Muizzu’s directive to make government services more citizen-friendly, introduces a tiered system of duty exemptions that particularly benefits Maldivians who have been studying or working abroad. The policy demonstrates the administration’s recognition of the growing global mobility of Maldivian citizens and their needs when returning home.
The regulations establish a base duty-free allowance of MVR 10,000 (FOB value) for personal imports, with additional provisions for long-term overseas residents:
- 6 months to 1 year abroad: MVR 9,000 additional allowance
- 1-3 years abroad: MVR 11,500 additional allowance
- Over 3 years abroad: MVR 14,000 additional allowance
Support for Education and Professional Development
In line with President Muizzu’s emphasis on education and professional development, the new regulations include special provisions for students returning from overseas studies. They can import their educational materials, books, professional equipment, and computers duty-free, supporting the administration’s commitment to fostering an educated and skilled workforce.
Professional Expatriate Considerations
Recognizing the Maldives’ need for skilled professionals, the framework includes thoughtful provisions for expatriate professionals. Teachers, doctors, nurses, accountants, managers, and consultants relocating to the Maldives for assignments longer than six months can import their personal effects duty-free, facilitating their transition to support the nation’s development.
Tourist-Friendly Measures
Supporting President Muizzu’s vision for tourism growth, the regulations maintain tourist-friendly allowances, including:
– Personal electronics and cameras
– Sports equipment including surfboards and diving gear
– Reasonable amounts of jewelry and accessories
– Standard duty-free allowances for tobacco products for adults
Environmental Protection and Public Health
Demonstrating the administration’s commitment to environmental protection and public health, the regulations explicitly exclude:
- Single-use plastics
- E-cigarettes and related products
- Energy drinks
This aligns with President Muizzu’s broader environmental protection initiatives and public health policies.
Streamlined Administration
A notable feature of the new framework is the establishment of a dedicated nine-member committee to oversee duty exemptions, ensuring consistent application across all customs sections. This reflects President Muizzu’s emphasis on efficient governance and transparent administration.
Digital Record-Keeping
The regulations mandate centralized digital record-keeping of all duty exemptions, showcasing the administration’s commitment to modern governance and digital transformation of government services.
Professional Categories Covered
The framework specifically benefits:
- Educational professionals
- Healthcare workers
- Financial experts
- Management professionals
- Technical consultants
This inclusive approach supports President Muizzu’s vision for diverse professional expertise in the Maldives.
Monthly Review Mechanism
The oversight committee is required to meet at least once monthly, ensuring regular review and updates of the implementation process, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to responsive governance.
Public Response
The business community and returning Maldivians have welcomed these changes, noting that the clear guidelines and increased allowances will make the import process more straightforward and beneficial for citizens and residents alike.
Looking Forward
This comprehensive reform of customs regulations represents a significant step in President Dr. Muizzu’s broader agenda of modernizing government services while protecting national interests. The balanced approach between facilitating imports and maintaining necessary controls showcases the administration’s commitment to practical, citizen-focused governance.
The new regulations, which replace the previous framework from July 31, 2024, are expected to significantly improve the efficiency of customs operations while providing greater benefits to citizens, residents, and professionals contributing to the Maldives’ development.
Through these regulations, President Dr. Muizzu’s administration continues to demonstrate its commitment to progressive policies that benefit citizens while maintaining robust systems for national security and economic stability.
For detailed information about the new customs regulations, the public can access the full document through the Government Gazette (2024/G-38) or visit the Maldives Customs Service website.