The duty exemption on goods brought by passengers and those brought for small use by private players has been slashed to MVR 10,000.

The change was made by Customs on Sunday in an amendment to duty exemption rules on goods brought by travellers from abroad for minor purposes of private players and those brought as business samples.

Previously, the duty exemption on such goods was MVR 6,000.

According to the new rules, if the free on board or FOB price fixed by the Customs is more than MVR 10,000, goods declaration form will have to be submitted for goods brought from abroad and the duty will be levied only after deducting MVR 10,000 from the FOB value of the goods.

According to the policy, even if the FOB is priced below MVR 10,000, if the customs believe that it is a commercial quantity depending on its type, quantity and price, customers will have to submit a goods declaration form and will also be charged with duty.

The policy also states that no duty will be levied on medicines brought along with a doctor's medicine letter for a maximum period of six months.