Asia - Customs in the Maldives / MLE

Hey FT,

I found this site (http://www.customs.gov.mv/en/?p=1111) which enumerates the items once cannot bring into the Maldives (e.g. pork, alcohol, porn).

I just want to confirm with those who have been there:

Would I be able to bring anything else that's not on that list?

For instance, I'd love to bring this amazing salami we have, and some canned tuna.

Should I be anticipating problems?

Thanks!

If you're bringing a salami you'd better be sure it says "all beef" or something of the sort.

If you're bringing a salami you'd better be sure it says "all beef" or something of the sort.

Yeah, the ingredients say "beef, water, spices."

Think we should be OK?

Logic says yes but it is possible they'd single the item out. Just politely say you knew you couldn't bring pork so you purchased an all beef version and point to the ingredients. Should work if the Agent is decent.

For more discussion, please follow the thread on its move to the Destinations->Asia forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Great, thank you!

Really? no alcohol or pork? dayam.
When I went, i'm certain we brought alcohol.. but it was a while back..

Really? no alcohol or pork? dayam.
When I went, i'm certain we brought alcohol.. but it was a while back..

There are signs all over the arrivals hall which state you cannot import alcohol. (I flew in on MU, and they happily sold alcohol during their on-board duty free)

Just to report back: we had absolutely no problems with customs!

You cannot bring alocohol into the country. We were prevented from bringing in a brass elephant door knocker (said it was a religious icon) we had bought. I saw people taking perfume out of their bags as they could not bring it in. But it isn't a problem. They hold the item there for you in the airport and you pick it back up on your way home.

There are signs all over the arrivals hall which state you cannot import alcohol. (I flew in on MU, and they happily sold alcohol during their on-board duty free)

Interesting, I flew on UL and they didn't sell any alcohol onboard when flying to MLE. I do remember the signs at the airport stating no alcohol was allowed to be brought into the country.

Just to update there is no ban on perfumes or anything of that sort. The alcohol ban has been there for sometime but is readily available in the resorts at ridiculously high prices.

Just to update there is no ban on perfumes or anything of that sort. The alcohol ban has been there for sometime but is readily available in the resorts at ridiculously high prices.

Alcohol has always been allowed at the resorts as a sort of "compromise" between Sharia law and the all-powerful tourism industry. They just don't want you bring the stuff through customs.