| Provision |
Heading/Description |
Category |
Previously notified definitive date for implementation |
New definitive date for implementation requested |
Reason for extension request |
| Article 1.1 |
Publication |
B |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2028 |
Donor assistance and financial support are required to translate all existing laws, rules and regulations, standards, guidelines, SOPs relating to trade, into English language.
We believe that Maldives will not be able to comply with the previously notified definitive date for implementation. Hence, Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028.
|
| Article 1.2 |
Information Available Through Internet |
C |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2028 |
Donor assistance and financial support are required to translate all existing laws, rules and regulations, standards, guidelines, SOPs relating to trade, into English language.
We believe that Maldives will not be able to comply with the previously notified definitive date for implementation. Hence, Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028.
|
| Article 2.1 |
Opportunity to Comment and Information Before Entry into Force |
C |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2028 |
Regulations under Food Safety Act is in the draft stages. It is planned to open for public comments, once drafts are finalized.
Please do note that, donor assistance and support is required to train staff to build the legal competency to develop procedures and a mechanism for public consultation on laws and regulations.
Hence, Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028.
|
| Article 2.2 |
Consultations |
B |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2028 |
Assistance and support required to train staff to build the legal competency to develop procedures and a mechanism for public consultation on laws and regulations.
To build the legal competency we need more time. Hence, Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028.
|
| Article 5.1 |
Notification for Enhanced Controls or Inspections |
C |
30 June 2026 |
31 December 2028 |
This Article can be implemented with donor assistance and support for the development of our capacity.
Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028, as it is highly unlikely that we can comply to the previously notified definitive date of implementation date of 30 June 2026.
|
| Article 5.3 |
Test Procedures |
C |
31 December 2025 3 |
1 December 2028 |
Maldives has limited laboratories and testing capacity. For instance, Maldives Customs Service (MCS) currently does not have an in-house facility to provide testing service. A proposal has been prepared by MCS and endorsed by management to establish a customs laboratory, however funding is needed by a donor.
The current National Health Laboratory (NHL) has developed numerous tests and possesses advanced equipment. However, there is a need to identify further requirements in test capacity and develop these areas.
Difficulty in procurement of chemicals and maintenance are the challenges in rendering services and these issues related to the procurement of chemicals and maintenance of equipment are being discussed with the Ministry of Health (MoH) for potential solutions.
The High Performance Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC MSMS) has been procured and installed, the Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS) is under installation, and the Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC MS) is in the process of being procured.
NHL has been accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the BLQS, DMSc, Thailand since 2008. The current scope of accreditation includes seven microbiological food tests, seven microbiological water tests, and seven chemical tests.
Thus, several agencies require donor assistance and financial support to acquire laboratory testing kits and relevant laboratory equipment and materials. Hence, Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028.
|
| Article 6.1 |
General Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation |
General Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2028 |
Import and export regulation are in drafting stages. Once these are finalized fees for importation can be implemented.
Procedures are underway for collection of fees for importation and export.
As it is very unlikely that we will be able to comply to the previously notified deadlines, Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028.
|
| Article 7.3 |
Separation of Release from Final Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, Fees and Charges |
C |
30 June 2026 |
31 December 2028 |
Maldives Customs Service (MCS) has already brought the required amendments to the regulation.
However, additional time is required for the effective integration of banks and insurance companies into the guaranteed system to effectively implement this provision. Additionally, MCS needs time to bring system modifications to ASYCUDA.
As it is unlikely that we can meet the earlier stipulated deadline for implementation, Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028.
|
| Article 7.6 |
Establishment and Publication of Average Release Times |
C |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2027 |
Maldives Customs Services (MCS) needs donor assistance and guidance of an expert to conduct TRS periodically.
Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2027.
|
| Article 8 |
Border Agency Cooperation |
B |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2027 |
A Sea Port Coordination Committee at Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) and an Airport Coordination Committee at Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) needs to be formally established, to conduct regular meetings on coordination and cooperation matters.
Hence, to ensure these Committees are properly set up, are activated, and the Coordination mechanism is put in place, a further extension to implement the Article is being requested.
Maldives requests an extension up to 31 December 2027.
|
| Article 10.3 |
Use of International Standards |
C |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2028 |
Assistance is required for testing, certification, inspection and accreditation capabilities of relevant regulatory agencies and provide assistance for upgrading the facilities in compliance with international standards.
Hence, Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028.
|
| Article 10.4 |
Single Window |
C |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2028 |
Import clearance module of Dhirithi (MFDA Online portal) is under development.
Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) is in the process of making service agreement with the developer.
Training is required, specifically focused on those officials who will be involved in the day-to-day operation and implementation of the National Single Window System.
Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article to 31 December 2028.
|
| Article 10.9 |
Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward and Outward Processing |
C |
31 December 2025 |
31 December 2028 |
Maldives Customs Services (MCS) is prepared to implement the ATA Carnet Convention.
However, Maldives National Chamber of Commerce (MNCCI) is yet to become a member of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Some legislative amendments need to be made prior to the implementation of this article
Hence, Maldives requests an extension to implement this Article up to 31 December 2028.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|