Maldives Customs Service Marks 136th Anniversary with Flag-Hoisting Ceremony
The flag-hoisting ceremony to mark the 136th anniversary of Maldives Customs was held infront of the Maldives Customs Headquarters in Male’.
The Maldives Customs Service marked its 136th anniversary today with a special flag-hoisting ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan, Commissioner General Fathimath Dhiyana, deputy commissioners, senior management members and Customs officers.
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The Maldives Customs Service was officially established on July 18, 1890, making it the country’s longest-serving state institution.
A Special Flag Hoisting Ceremony was held today to commemorate the 136th Anniversary of Customs.
The ceremony was attended by Minister Ali Ihusaan, Commissioner General Fathimath Dhiyana, Deputy Commissioners, members of the Senior Management, and Customs Officers. pic.twitter.com/uHFk2aNLz7— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) July 18, 2026
The service’s role in national security was highlighted during the ceremony, along with its responsibilities in safeguarding the country’s entry points, facilitating legitimate business activity and managing a significant share of state revenue collected at the borders.
Minister Ihusaan, in a message he shared on social media, said Customs had achieved significant milestones over the past two and a half years, particularly in the seizure of drugs and other prohibited items at the Maldives’ borders since the current administration took office.
މޯލްޑިވްސް ކަސްޓަމްސް ސަރވިސްގެ 136 ވަނަ އަހަރީ ދުވަހާއި ގުޅިގެން ކަސްޓަމްސްގެ ވަޒީރު، ދާޚިލީ ސަލާމަތާއި، މަސައްކަތްތެރިކަމާއި ފަންނިއްޔާތާ ބެހޭ ވަޒީރު ޢަލީ އިޙްސާން ދެއްވާ ޚާއްސަ މެސެޖް. pic.twitter.com/AD2NvDNPVR— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) July 18, 2026
He expressed confidence that Customs officers would continue to provide essential national service for the benefit of the Maldivian people.
The Minister also outlined the future direction of the service, saying Customs operations would focus on strengthening services through digitalisation and a more digitally integrated operating environment.
The Maldives Customs Service is responsible for overseeing goods entering and leaving the country, including inspecting cargo, luggage and shipments, assessing and collecting customs duties and detecting prohibited or restricted items. Its work includes preventing the smuggling of drugs and other illegal goods, ensuring imports comply with national laws and regulations, and facilitating legitimate trade through the country’s ports and other entry points.
