The Maldives Customs Service (MCS) has announced that information relating to House Bills of Lading for goods imported and exported by sea may now be submitted through the Tradian portal.

The authority stated that freight forwarders engaged in the import or export of goods by sea are required to register as cargo agents under the General Customs Regulations. In addition, they must submit details of House Bills of Lading electronically within the timeframe stipulated in the rules.

MCS explained that the freight forwarder, identified as the consignee listed in the master bill of lading, is responsible for providing the relevant information on house bills of lading in accordance with the General Customs Regulations. Officials confirmed that this process can be carried out through the Tradian portal, which operates as the Maldives National Single Window.

The House Bills of Lading serves as an essential document, granting authorisation for freight forwarders or non-vessel operating common carriers to import and export goods by sea. It also functions as a receipt for shipments, an agreement between the forwarder and the shipper, and as a record of ownership of the consignment.

This development is part of the Government’s wider digitisation policy. The National Single Window, branded as Tradian, was formally launched on 20 April this year with the objective of simplifying procedures for importers and exporters.

The Tradian platform has been designed to make services more accessible to local entrepreneurs. The initiative is intended to bring together services offered by multiple agencies for import and export trade, enabling them to be accessed online through a single digital platform.