Export Clearance Process Takes More Than 10 Days on Average, Customs Study Finds
Export clearance process takes over 10 days | Photo: MPL
The process of clearing goods for export before a vessel departs the Maldives takes an average of 10 days, 10 hours and 14 minutes, according to the Maldives Customs Service.
The figures were published in the Time Release Study 2025 released by Customs on Saturday. The study examines the entire export process, measuring the time taken from the submission of a customs declaration until the vessel carrying the goods leaves port.
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Customs stated that the findings are intended to help identify delays within the export chain and support administrative and digital reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing clearance times.
According to the study, the period from declaration submission to assessment takes an average of 15 hours and 6 minutes, while the payment process requires a further 17 hours and 31 minutes. As a result, more than a full day is spent on administrative procedures before operational stages begin.
The study identified the off-shore request process and the approval required for it as among the largest contributors to delays. On average, it takes 1 day, 16 hours and 55 minutes from payment to the submission of an off-shore request, while obtaining approval takes an additional 1 day, 9 hours and 47 minutes.
Cargo inspections, including checks conducted by other government agencies, also account for a significant portion of the overall processing time. These inspections take an average of 1 day, 9 hours and 35 minutes, reflecting the coordination required among multiple institutions operating within the port.
Once inspections and documentation are completed, exporters must obtain booking approval before cargo can be loaded. The study found that approval of booking forms takes an average of 1 day, 13 hours and 57 minutes.
The final stage of the export process, which includes loading cargo and completing all remaining formalities until the vessel departs, was identified as the longest individual segment. This stage takes an average of 2 days, 12 hours and 3 minutes.
Customs said the study provides a detailed picture of the export clearance process and is expected to support efforts to streamline procedures and improve trade facilitation in the Maldives.
