The Maldives Customs Service has introduced a digital platform enabling exporters to apply online for Certificates of Origin required for goods exported to China under the Maldives-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant advancement in the country’s international trade processes.
Effective 15 August, exporters can now submit their documentation and payments through the Customs portal, with the system designed to provide approval notifications electronically. This digital transformation aims to simplify and expedite the export certification process for Maldivian businesses.
The Maldives-China Free Trade Agreement, originally signed in 2014 and ratified by Parliament in 2017, experienced implementation delays following administrative changes in 2018. The current administration has successfully brought the agreement into full effect as of 1 January this year.
A key benefit of the FTA is the zero-rate tariff on Maldivian fishery products exported to China. The agreement covers 296 seafood categories, including strategically important products such as sea cucumber, salted fish, grouper, mariculture products, skipjack tuna, and yellowfin tuna. This provision is expected to significantly boost the Maldives’ seafood export potential, which represents the country’s largest export sector.
The online application system represents a crucial step in modernizing trade procedures, providing Maldivian exporters with a more efficient and transparent mechanism for obtaining necessary trade documentation. By reducing bureaucratic barriers and streamlining the certification process, the Customs Service is supporting the nation’s international trade objectives and facilitating smoother economic interactions with China.
Exporters can now access the new digital platform through the Maldives Customs Service portal, where they will be able to complete all required documentation, make payments, and receive real-time updates on their Certificate of Origin applications.
