Customs Guidelines Allow for Cargo to be Offloaded at Resorts Under Development

The Maldives Customs Service, on 29 March 2018, published guidelines for offloading imported goods directly to tourist resorts undergoing development.

The guidelines, which are in effect from 1 April 2018 to 31 December 2020, allow new resorts which are under construction, resorts currently undergoing construction, and resorts which are being renovated, to offload bulk cargo and other goods directly on to the resort. A permit to offload the cargo will be issued to the resort once the customs declaration process has been completed in accordance with the guidelines and, the Customs General Regulation. The vessel carrying the goods may then offload directly on to the official harbor of the resort where Customs officials can carry out an inspection of the goods.

The guidelines specify a fee that will be imposed on bulk cargo such as sand, aggregate and boulders at a rate of 2 USD per cubic meter or metric ton and, any other types of goods will be charged at a rate of 5 USD per cubic meter or metric ton. When making payment to Maldives Customs, the fee will be charged based on either the metric tonnage or cubic meters, the greater value of the two. Additionally, if the goods do not exceed a metric ton or cubic meter, the fee imposed on those goods will be equivalent to one metric ton or cubic meter. In addition to this fee, the requisite fees for offloading goods at the resort and, travel fees for customs officials stipulated in schedule 36 of the Customs General Regulation must also be paid.