The Maldives Customs Service has revealed that 680 individuals and companies collectively owe more than MVR 600 million in unpaid dues. 

The list was published following the enforcement of a new rule on 16 October requiring the public disclosure of defaulters who fail to settle outstanding payments.

Under the regulation, a name may be publicised if the amount owed is MVR 10,000 or more and the debtor has been formally notified in accordance with procedures for recovery and suspension of services.

The list published on Saturday includes those who have not paid import duties, customs fees, and fines, with a significant number penalised for violations of the Tobacco Control Act and its regulations. Both individuals and businesses appear on the list.

Sultans of the Seas Pvt Ltd is recorded as the highest debtor, owing MVR 110 million, stemming from a 2010 court ruling related to import duty fraud, which was later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2020.

Customs noted that 16 individuals owe more than MVR 10 million, the majority due to fines imposed under tobacco regulations. The single largest penalty, MVR 72 million, was issued for the illegal import of vapes.

Among major corporate defaulters, Exotic Enterprises owes MVR 47 million, while OCC Pvt Ltd has unpaid import duties amounting to MVR 10.5 million.

Breakdown of unpaid dues:

Customs stated that the list includes only those whose cases meet regulatory requirements for public disclosure. Debtors subject to ongoing investigations or awaiting final enforcement of court orders will be named once legal processes conclude.

In line with disclosure procedures, defaulters’ information will be released in two phases: first on the Customs official website, and after 15 days, via the Government Gazette and the agency’s social media platforms. Names may be removed from the website and social media if payments are cleared, but information cannot be withdrawn once published in the Gazette.