The Civil Court has ruled that the Maldives Customs Service (MCS) has the legal authority to confiscate goods imported by companies or individuals with outstanding tax payments to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).
In a judgment delivered on Thursday (September 11), the court ruled against a claimant, Fuad Zahir from Mariyammage in Gaaf Alif Kolamaafushi, who contested the custom’s seizure of a shipment imported under his name.
The customs had confiscated the shipment due to unpaid taxes.
The MCS was authorised to take the action under import and export laws as well as the Customs Act, the judge noted, and rejected the claim for compensation of losses incurred due to the confiscation of goods.
