Sri Lanka Sourcing Guide

Import Ceylon Tea from Sri Lanka to The Maldives

What it takes to source Ceylon Tea from Sri Lanka and bring it into the Maldives: tariff treatment, import requirements, shipping times and indicative pricing, with a free route to quotes from verified exporters.

Import from Sri Lanka to the Maldives: every product, one page →

Ceylon Tea from Sri Lanka
ProdottoTè di CeylonHS 0902
Indicative FOB$3.50–6.50 / kggrade-dependent
Tariff routeSAFTAsee below
Sea transit~2–4 daysfrom Colombo

Fresh Ceylon Tea crop typically lands year-round, with quality peaks Jan–Mar and Jul–Sep, see the harvest calendar.

Why source Ceylon Tea from Sri Lanka

“Ceylon” is a globally protected mark of origin for Sri Lankan tea, sold through the transparent Colombo Tea Auction. Buyers can source by elevation (high / medium / low grown) and grade (BOP, BOPF, OP, FBOP, dust) with consistent quality and a clean, well-documented supply chain.

Forms & grades: Black, green and specialty teas by elevation and leaf grade; bulk or private-label. Browse current listings on our Ceylon Tea category page.

Duty & tariff treatment for The Maldives

Sri Lanka and the Maldives are both SAFTA members, giving tariff concessions on covered products. The Maldives imports almost all of its food and consumer goods, and Sri Lanka is one of its closest and most important suppliers.

A SAFTA Certificate of Origin is used to claim the preference on covered goods.

Always confirm the current rate. Tariffs and preference schemes change. Check your exact HS line in the Maldives Customs Service, and estimate duty + freight + insurance together with our landed-cost calculator. We don’t publish line-item tariff figures because they move and depend on your precise product and origin proof.

Import requirements for The Maldives

Typical requirements for bringing Ceylon Tea into the Maldives include:

  • The importer must be registered with Maldives Customs (any import that is not for personal use), and food is cleared by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), with labeling.
  • A health / phytosanitary certificate for plant and food products as required.
  • From 31 March 2026 the MFDA requires an Export Health Certificate with every consignment of animal-origin food (fish, meat, eggs). Pack robustly for onward distribution to resorts and islands.

Your exporter prepares the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin; see our export documents checklist for the full set.

Certificates this market asks for

Lists of Sri Lankan suppliers holding each one, taken from the scheme’s own public register. A certificate covers named products, so our Trade Desk confirms it covers your order.

Shipping & lead time from Colombo

Just 2–4 days by sea from Colombo to Malé, Sri Lanka’s nearest export market; frequent sailings and air links. Most Ceylon Tea moves FOB Colombo or CIF The Maldives. Agree the Incoterm up front so responsibilities are clear. Estimate ocean freight and your landed cost with the freight & landed-cost calculator.

Indicative pricing

Ceylon Tea is indicatively $3.50–6.50 / kg FOB, varying by grade, order volume, packaging and certification. Track current reference ranges on our Ceylon commodity prices page, then get a firm, current quote for your exact specification below.

Get quotes to import Ceylon Tea into The Maldives

Tell us your grade, volume and destination. We’ll match you with verified Sri Lankan Ceylon Tea exporters and get you firm FOB/CIF quotes, free, no obligation.

Request quotes →

Want to check quality first? Ordina un campione. Or, for a Sri Lankan grocery store, see grocery wholesale.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ceylon Tea from Sri Lanka duty-free into the Maldives?

Sri Lanka and the Maldives are both SAFTA members, giving tariff concessions on covered products. The Maldives imports almost all of its food and consumer goods, and Sri Lanka is one of its closest and most important suppliers. Confirm the exact rate for your HS line via the Maldives Customs Service, or estimate your full landed cost with our landed-cost calculator.

What does Ceylon Tea from Sri Lanka cost?

Indicatively $3.50–6.50 / kg FOB, depending on grade, volume and certification. See live ranges on our Ceylon commodity prices page, then request a firm quote.

How long does shipping from Colombo take?

Just 2–4 days by sea from Colombo to Malé, Sri Lanka’s nearest export market; frequent sailings and air links.

Related sourcing guides & tools

Import Ceylon Tea to other markets

Germania · UK · USA · Paesi Bassi · Emirati Arabi Uniti · India · Cina · Australia

Other Sri Lankan products to The Maldives

Ceylon Cinnamon · Olio di cocco · Pepe nero · Cocco essiccato · Chiodi di garofano · Olio di cocco vergine · Cardamomo · Noce moscata & mace · Fibre di cocco & Coco Peat · Carbone attivo da guscio di noce di cocco · Oli essenziali

Sourcing tools

Commodity prices · Ricerca codice HS · Calendario dei raccolti · Container calculator · Calcolatore noli · Incoterms explained · GSP+ / DCTS duty guide · Export documents