Originally Posted by MilaidhooMaldives

The red/green customs channel is the same as you at most airports: you either go through the 'goods to declare' red channel where they'll xray your luggage or through the 'nothing to declare' green channel.

This started a couple of months ago: before that everyone's luggage (both checked in luggage and handluggage) was xrayed on arrival.

Note: it was - and still is - illegal to bring alcohol into the Maldives. A number of travellers, not knowing this, lose their Duty Free purchases on arrival.

For the CIP procedure, AFAIK, they meet you on the tarmac as you get out of the plane and take you straight through to the CIP lounge where they'll do the customs and immigration procedures. That should only take a few minutes, then you're out the door land-side and more or less opposite the boat jetty.

Kat

ps: in case anyone was thinking they can now bring alcohol in their luggage, we understand that - like most airports - it's being xrayed before it's unloaded onto the luggage carousel and customs will call you over if you try to go through the green channel.