Maldives customs rules & duty-free allowances
The Maldives is a 100% Muslim country, and customs enforcement reflects that: alcohol, pork, and anything considered religiously offensive is seized on arrival, and you cannot bring your own duty-free alcohol in at all — the 'allowance' is only for goods you buy from the airport duty-free shop on arrival, not for bottles packed in your suitcase. In 2026, every traveller must also complete the Traveller Declaration (TD) within 96 hours before landing, and undeclared items carry heavy fines. The rules below apply to non-resident adults arriving on holiday; resort islands have their own licensed alcohol supply, so there is no need to smuggle anything in.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics and illegal drugs (severe penalties including life imprisonment)
- Alcohol (except duty-free purchased on arrival)
- Pork and pork products
- Religious materials offensive to Islam (e.g., Bibles, crucifixes, idols in some cases)
- E-cigarettes, vaping devices, and shisha
- Live pigs and by-products
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Prescription medicines (must have prescription; controlled drugs need prior approval)
- Drones (require permit from Maldives Civil Aviation Authority)
- Satellite phones (require permit from Communications Authority of Maldives)
- Plants and seeds (require phytosanitary certificate and import permit)
- Firearms and ammunition (strictly prohibited without special permit)
Arriving: red vs green channel
All travellers must submit the online Traveller Declaration (TD) within 96 hours before arrival at imuga.immigration.gov.mv. At Velana International Airport, use the green channel if you have nothing to declare and are within allowances; use the red channel if you have goods to declare, cash over USD 10,000, or restricted items. Random bag scans are common, and undeclared items are confiscated with fines.
Bringing medication
Personal medication for own use is allowed with a valid prescription or doctor's letter; keep in original packaging. Controlled drugs (narcotics, psychotropics, some painkillers like tramadol) require prior approval from the Maldives Food and Drug Authority. Many common Western medicines containing codeine or pseudoephedrine are restricted; check before travel.
Food, plants & animal products
All food, plant, and animal products must be declared. Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, meat, and dairy are generally prohibited or require an import permit. Processed, sealed snacks are usually fine but declare if unsure. Biosecurity fines apply for undeclared items.
Rules worth knowing
Alcohol only from duty-free on arrival
You cannot bring alcohol in your checked or carry-on luggage. The only legal way to import alcohol is to buy it at the arrival duty-free shop after clearing immigration, and even then you must declare it. Resort islands have licensed bars, so there is no need to bring your own.
Traveller Declaration is mandatory
Since 2022, all arrivals must submit the Traveller Declaration (TD) online within 96 hours before arrival. Paper forms are no longer accepted. Failure to submit can result in delays or fines.
E-cigarettes and vaping are banned
Importing, possessing, or using e-cigarettes, vapes, and shisha is illegal in the Maldives. They will be confiscated at customs, and you may face a fine.
Religious items may be seized
Items deemed offensive to Islam, including non-Islamic religious texts, symbols, and idols, are prohibited. Bibles and crucifixes are sometimes confiscated; if you carry them, expect scrutiny.