Customs Enables E-Submission of House Bill of Lading via Tradian

News

The Maldives Customs Service has announced that freight forwarders can now submit house bill of lading information for all sea imports and exports electronically through the government’s Tradian portal.

The move, aimed at streamlining customs procedures and boosting trade efficiency, comes as part of the government’s broader digitisation drive.

According to Customs, freight forwarders handling sea cargo are required to register as cargo agents under the General Customs Regulations. These agents must electronically submit house bill of lading details within the specified timeframe.

Under the new system, the freight forwarder listed as the consignee on the master bill of lading will be responsible for submitting the house bill of lading information via the Tradian portal (Maldives National Single Window). A house bill of lading serves as a receipt for goods, a contract with the shipper, and proof of ownership.

The Tradian single window, officially launched on 20 April, marked a key milestone in fulfilling President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of providing greater convenience for Maldivian entrepreneurs. By consolidating services from multiple government agencies, the platform enables businesses to manage import and export processes online through one unified portal.

Authorities expect the initiative to simplify international trade, reduce paperwork, and improve efficiency for importers and exporters while supporting the national digitisation agenda.