Maldives Customs Study Reveals 10-Day Average for Export Cargo Clearance

The Maldives Customs Service (MCS) has released the "Time Release Study 2025," a comprehensive analysis revealing that it takes an average of 10 days to complete the clearance process for goods shipped abroad. The report provides a detailed breakdown of the export timeline, measuring the duration from the initial submission of customs declarations to the moment ships depart from Maldivian ports. According to the study, the total average time for sea freight shipping stands at 10 days, 10 hours, and 14 minutes. The data highlights several distinct phases of the process: the assessment phase—spanning from declaration submission to completion—takes approximately 15 hours and six minutes, while payment processing requires an additional 17 hours and 31 minutes. Administrative hurdles also contribute to the timeline. Offshore requests take an average of one day, 16 hours, and 55 minutes, with subsequent offshore approvals adding another one day, 9 hours, and 47 minutes. Furthermore, mandatory inspections conducted by various government agencies average one day, 9 hours, and 35 minutes, and booking form approvals take roughly one day, 13 hours, and 57 minutes. The study identifies the loading and departure stage as the most significant bottleneck in the export chain, consuming an average of two days, 12 hours, and three minutes. This stage represents the longest duration in the entire clearance sequence. Maldives Customs officials stated that these findings will serve as a critical roadmap for future improvements. By pinpointing specific delays, the agency intends to implement administrative reforms and enhance digital systems to streamline the shipping process, ultimately reducing the time it takes for Maldivian goods to reach international markets.