🇲🇻 Maldives Customs Guide
What customs allows you to bring into Maldives — duty-free caps, banned and restricted goods, and medication rules, from official sources.
Fully verified · Authority: Maldives Customs Service · Last verified
Every section below carries verbatim quotes from official customs sources captured on the verification date.
Two different questions. Airport security screening (TSA/CATSA — can it go through the checkpoint?) is separate from customs (may it enter the country at all?). This page covers customs after arrival in Maldives; for checkpoint rules, see the item guides.
Duty-free allowances
Layered by traveller type and duration abroad: for tourists 18+, duty-free allowance permits up to 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco products; excess tobacco is retained by Customs for up to 30 days and collectible on departure from Velana International Airport. Goods valued MVR 10,001 and above must be declared. Returning Maldivians receive tiered allowances (MVR 9,000 / MVR 11,500 / MVR 14,000 depending on length of stay abroad).
“Those coming back to Maldives after a period of 1 to 3 years are allowed a duty free allowance of MVR11,500. 4 Those coming back to Maldives after a period of more than 3 years are allowed a duty free allowance of MVR14,000.”
“es, or 25 cigars, or up to 250 grams of tobacco products. Quantities of tobacco exceeding these limits will be retained by Customs for a maximum of 30 days. Tourists can collect these items at the departure terminal of Velana International Airport (VIA) customs counter prior to their departure from Maldives. NOTE: *If you are carrying goods valued MVR 10,001 and above …”
“All tourists aged 18 years and above arriving from abroad shall be permitted to import, for personal use, either 200 cigarettes, or 25 cigars, or up to 250 grams of tobacco products. Quantities of tobacco exceeding these limits will be retained by Customs for a maximum of 30 days.”
Prohibited & restricted goods
Absolute prohibitions: narcotics and psychotropic substances; pornographic material (including sex toys); religious materials offensive to Islam; live pigs; idols for worship. ALCOHOL IMPORT BAN: Under Maldivian Law No. 4/1975 (Import Prohibition Act), the importation of alcoholic beverages, pork, and pork by-products is strictly prohibited without prior government permit; alcohol brought by arriving passengers — including duty-free purchases made at departure or in-flight — is confiscated by Customs at the airport, a receipt is issued, and items can be reclaimed at the departure terminal counter prior to leaving the Maldives (held up to 30 days). VAPING IMPORT BAN: Since 15 November 2024 (per Velana International Airport customs guidance), the Maldives bans the import of all vaping devices (disposable and reusable), electronic cigarettes, and related accessories; items are confiscated on arrival with receipt for collection on departure.
“Prohibited goods are goods that are banned completely: narcotics and psychotropic substances; pornographic material (including sex toys) such as books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs and software; religious materials offensive to Islam; live pigs; idols (for worship). — Maldives Customs Service (official)”
“Liquor and Alcoholic Products: Requires prior approval under Maldivian Law No: 4/1975 (Import Prohibition Act).”
“Alcoholic beverages, pork and pork products may be imported only with a permit obtained in advance. Prohibited: alcoholic beverages, pork and their by-products, vapes, E-cigarettes and related devices.”
“Since 15 November 2024 the Maldives bans import of all vaping devices (disposable and reusable), e-cigarettes, and related accessories; devices and accessories are confiscated at customs, a receipt is issued, and items can be collected on departure.”
Medication & prescription drugs
Most prescription medications can be carried into the Maldives for personal use provided travellers carry a valid doctor's prescription or physician's letter in English, keep medications in original pharmacy-dispensed packaging, and ensure the quantity does not exceed personal requirements for the duration of stay. Controlled substances (such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants) require comprehensive supporting medical documentation stating clinical indication and exact dosage. Certain substances legally prescribed in the country of origin may be strictly controlled or prohibited in the Maldives; carrying controlled medications without verifiable documentation may result in confiscation or formal investigation by Maldives Customs.
“Most medication can be carried with you when entering the Maldives provided that you show a doctor's prescription, and the amount you are carrying does not exceed your requirements for the duration of your stay in the Maldives.”
“Most medication can be brought into the Maldives, if it is accompanied by a doctor's prescription and does not exceed the recommended dosage for the duration of stay in the Maldives.”
“Prescription medication: carry in original pharmacy packaging with a valid prescription or doctor's letter; controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants) require particular documentation — some substances legal by prescription in the country of origin may be controlled in the Maldives; carrying medication without valid documentation may result in confiscation or investigation.”
Still being verified — nothing guessed
Accuracy beats completeness here. The following are confirmed gaps in our verified coverage for Maldives; each line names the official source we are re-checking, not a third-party answer:
- Under verification returning-Maldivian ladder 1–2 year lead-in text (customs.gov.mv image-rendered section)
Maldives customs FAQs
What is the duty-free allowance for Maldives?
Layered by traveller type and duration abroad: for tourists 18+, duty-free allowance permits up to 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco products; excess tobacco is retained by Customs for up to 30 days and collectible on departure from Velana International Airport. Goods valued MVR 10,001 and above must be declared. Returning Maldivians receive tiered allowances (MVR 9,000 / MVR 11,500 / MVR 14,000 depending on length of stay abroad).
What items are prohibited or restricted at Maldives customs?
Absolute prohibitions: narcotics and psychotropic substances; pornographic material (including sex toys); religious materials offensive to Islam; live pigs; idols for worship. ALCOHOL IMPORT BAN: Under Maldivian Law No. 4/1975 (Import Prohibition Act), the importation of alcoholic beverages, pork, and pork by-products is strictly prohibited without prior government permit; alcohol brought by arriving passengers — including duty-free purchases made at departure or in-flight — is confiscated by Customs at the airport, a receipt is issued, and items can be reclaimed at the departure terminal counter prior to leaving the Maldives (held up to 30 days). VAPING IMPORT BAN: Since 15 November 2024 (per Velana International Airport customs guidance), the Maldives bans the import of all vaping devices (disposable and reusable), electronic cigarettes, and related accessories; items are confiscated on arrival with receipt for collection on departure.
Can I bring medication into Maldives?
Most prescription medications can be carried into the Maldives for personal use provided travellers carry a valid doctor's prescription or physician's letter in English, keep medications in original pharmacy-dispensed packaging, and ensure the quantity does not exceed personal requirements for the duration of stay. Controlled substances (such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants) require comprehensive supporting medical documentation stating clinical indication and exact dosage. Certain substances legally prescribed in the country of origin may be strictly controlled or prohibited in the Maldives; carrying controlled medications without verifiable documentation may result in confiscation or formal investigation by Maldives Customs.
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Verified against official sources. Rules change — for high-stakes items, confirm with your airline and the screening authority. Our verification method →
- Maldives Customs Service — Duty-Free Concessions ↗
- Maldives Customs Service — Prohibited and Restricted Items ↗
- Maldives High Commission, London — Consular Customs Guidance ↗
- U.S. International Trade Administration / USTR — Maldives Profile ↗
- Velana International Airport — Customs & Security Guidance ↗
- IATA Travel Centre — Maldives Customs Regulations ↗