Customs destroys 1.8 million smuggled cigarettes seized at Addu port

The Maldives Customs Service has destroyed 1.83 million smuggled cigarettes seized at Addu port, the agency confirmed Sunday.  

In a statement, Customs said 1,830,000 cigarette sticks were incinerated at the Hithadhoo port area as part of its enforcement efforts.  

The destruction comes amid a broader crackdown on tobacco smuggling following the government’s decision to increase import duty on cigarettes on October 31, 2024. The duty on a box of 20 cigarettes was raised from MVR 60 to MVR 160, pushing retail prices from MVR 110 to MVR 250 per pack.  

Traders report a sharp decline in legal cigarette sales since the hike, while authorities have observed a rise in self-made cigarettes and smuggling attempts.  

ގަވާއިދާ ޚިލާފަށް ރާއްޖެއަށް އެތެރެކުރަން އުޅެނިކޮށް ކަސްޓަމްސްއިން ހިފަހައްޓާފައި ހުރި 1,830,000 (އެއް މިލިއަން އަށްލައްކަ ތިރީސްހާސް) ސިނގިރޭޓް ސްޓިކްސް ނައްތާލައިފި.@HomeMinistrymv @HPA_MV @MoHmv pic.twitter.com/UkPtjgsZ1u

— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) December 7, 2025

Customs statistics show cigarette imports have dropped significantly. From January to June 2023, more than 167 million cigarettes were imported, compared to just 41 million between January and July 2025, a difference of 126 million.  

According to the Finance Ministry, import duty revenue this year has reached only 61 percent of the estimated total.  

Nearly four months after the duty hike, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim noted that state revenue had declined due to reduced cigarette imports. He said the drop in tobacco-related revenue was a key factor in the shortfall.