Importers

Personal Effects

Items that fall into the categories below are considered as personal effects under the duty free allowance declared by the President of the Maldives.

 

-                      Personal effects imported for own use by Maldivians and foreigners living in the Maldives

                       -          Personal effects imported for own use by Maldivians and foreigners living in the Maldives

-          Goods carried by Maldivians and foreigners at the time of entering the Maldives

-          Pre-used goods brought in by Maldivians when entering Maldives after living abroad for a period of 6 months or more

-          Pre-used items brought for living by foreign professionals category employees coming to work in  Maldives for a period of more than 6 months

-          Goods brought by crew members of internationally sailing crafts

 

The professionals mentioned above are workers considered as in professional category by the Ministry of Human Resource Employment and Labour.

 

After the submission of the required documents to the Documentation Section, the following documents must be submitted to the Cargo Examination Section requesting for the examination of the shipment.

 

-          Letter requesting to release personal effects and stating the details for date of departure from Maldives, date of arrival in Maldives and Visa

-          Details of the personal effect items

-          Original and a copy of Passport (Copy of identification page and visa page)

-          Delivery Order

-          Packing List

-          Work Permit Card (for foreign individuals)

   

If the person is abroad at the time of the arrival of goods into the Maldives and could not present the original of the passport, the goods will be released when a copy of the passport is enclosed with a letter from the owner stating the situation.

 

Declaration Process for Personal Effects

 

As per Law No: 31/79 (Maldivian Import Export Act) import duty concession will be granted for the goods being imported for personal use that are below MVR 6,000 on FOB (excluding freight and insurance) basis. (Please refer to this link for further information).

 

The goods imported for personal use should be consigned under the name of the individual importing the goods. If the goods are consigned under a company’s name, then the goods will be considered to be imported for commercial purpose. Therefore normal import declaration process should be followed.

 

Depending on the quantity, goods being imported as personal use which falls within the category of MVR 6,000 allowance will be subjected to submit the goods declaration form. In these circumstances the goods declaration will be accessed without granting the MVR 6000 allowance and the duty must be paid accordingly as the goods will be considered as commercial imports.

 

Furthermore, if the goods being imported as personal use are valued above MVR 6000 (excluding freight and insurance), goods declaration form must be submitted to Customs which will be processed after granting an allowance of MVR 6000 and the duty must be paid accordingly.

For example: If the value of goods are worth MVR 10,000, duty will be charged on MVR4,000 (MVR10,000 – MVR 6,000)

 

 

In situation where the goods declaration form has to be submitted, normal import declaration process of Customs will be followed. If Commercial invoice of the goods imported for personal use is not available at the time of importation, the Crew and Passenger Valuation form MCS-145 Passenger Crew Valuation Form must be submitted with the accurate information on the goods along with the Goods Declaration. (Please refer to this link business declaration process).