Guidelines have been amended to require importers to cover the cost of destroying tobacco products that fail to meet Maldives’ import requirements.
The amendment to the Tobacco Packaging and Labeling guidelines today, specifies that Maldives Customs will impose fines on violators, recover unpaid fines, and destroy non compliant tobacco products at the importing stage. For tobacco products already in the country, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) will enforce fines, recover unpaid amounts, and destroy illegal products.
According to the guideline, if tobacco products are imported by post, courier, or other non commercial methods, Customs will fine the importer and destroy the items in line with Customs regulations.
Importers must also bear the cost of disposing such items in a environmentally safe manner, as well as any costs incurred while the seized goods remain under customs control.
Enforcement agencies are authorized to impose fines and destroy tobacco products intended for commercial use that do not meet regulatory requirements.
However, individuals bringing tobacco products from abroad for personal use, beyond specified limits, will be exempt from these penalties.
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