Maldives Customs Tightens Control Over Bonded Warehouses

The operation of bonded warehouses in Maldives will now be restricted to areas under the full control of Maldives Customs, the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, has announced.

In a post on the social media platform X today, Minister Ihusaan highlighted that bonded warehouses have long been operated in residential properties such as homes and apartments in Malé. These facilities are typically secured with two locks, one of which is controlled by customs.

advertisement

The announcement follows reports of the loss of 34,000 cartons of cigarettes from a bonded warehouse, allegedly occurring after the government increased import duties on tobacco products in November. According to the local news outlet *Adhadhu*, the missing goods could have generated up to MVR 47 million in duties and taxes.

Minister Ihusaan noted that authorities had identified the owner of the warehouse in question as operating another business at the same location. Customs officials had previously instructed the owner to pay duties for the goods listed as stored in the warehouse. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the goods.

The minister explained that the government has revised its policy on bonded warehouse operations, citing security concerns and the need for better oversight. Under the new policy, bonded warehouses can only operate in locations where customs maintains complete control, ensuring more effective management of import duties on goods stored in these facilities.