The deadline for shipping agency registrations have been extended.

An announcement by the Maldives Transport Authority yesterday said that the deadline for the shipping agency registrations have been extended to 15 September 2020.

In an attempt to stop the numerous fees collected by shipping agencies by various names, all shipping agencies are now required to be registered at the Transport Authority.

This new regulation is going to stop the collection of various fees by foreign agencies. And while the shipping agent or freight forwarder handles all payments from the point where the consignee hands over the cargo. And shipping agents cannot charge an extra fee other than the previously agreed amount to the consignees directly or indirectly.

However, if change has to be brought to the shipping document, a previously set fee and a maximum administrative fee of MVR 500 can be charged.

Maldives Transport Authority said that those who violate the new regulation would be fined by MVR 10,000 and would receive a written warning not to repeat the offense.