Customs seizes largest shipment of vape since ban

The Maldives Customs Service has intercepted the largest single shipment of vapes since the ban on importing the products came into effect.

Customs reported today that they searched a sea freight shipment last Thursday after identifying it as potentially containing illegal goods. The search resulted in the discovery and seizure of 10,800 vape cartridges. The total street value of the confiscated items is estimated to be MVR 2.7 million.

Customs confirmed this is the biggest seizure of vapes made by the agency in the past year. Overall, the agency has confiscated over 66,000 vape items through various operations since the ban.

The ban on importing vapes and related devices into the Maldives became effective on November 15, 2024.

In response to questions from "Mihaaru" under the Right to Information Act in August 2025, Customs revealed that 69 individuals were fined for importing vape products between the date the ban took effect and June 15th of the current year.

The total value of the fines imposed during that specific period amounted to over MVR 400 million.