President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has waived import duty and processing fees for some items which are on high demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Such items include hand sanitizer, masks, face shield, hand wash, gloves and disinfectants.
Maldives Customs Service (MCS) stated President Solih has decided to waive the import duty and processing fee imposed on masks and hand sanitisers imported by businesses and individuals for the duration of 30-day State of Public Health Emergency declared in Maldives.
Article 8 of Export-Import Act of Maldives states the president shall have the discretion, in the case of a special circumstance, to waive payment of import duty, or part of it, for items imported for the general benefit of the public, or for the general benefit of the people on an island of Maldives.
Following the COVID-19 outbreak, demand for sanitisers and masks have plunged high.