Can I bring my belongings to Malta duty-free?

If you are establishing your normal place of residence in Malta, you may qualify for Removal of Residence Relief (also called Transfer of Residence Relief in EU customs law). This exempts personal effects, furniture, and household goods from import duty and VAT, provided you owned and used them for at least six months before moving and they are not being imported for commercial purposes.

What documents do I need to import belongings to Malta?

Key documents for Removal of Residence Relief: proof of previous foreign residence (e.g., foreign residence permit, utility bills, rental contract), proof of new Maltese residence (lease agreement, permit), detailed inventory of goods being shipped, completed customs form from Malta Customs and Excise, and your passport. Your shipping company will usually guide you through the process.

Can I bring a car to Malta duty-free?

A personal vehicle can be imported under Removal of Residence Relief if you owned and personally used it for at least six months before moving. Conditions apply: you must be establishing permanent Maltese residence, the vehicle must not be sold or transferred for at least 12 months after import. Malta drives on the left, which matters if importing a right-hand-drive vehicle from a right-hand-drive country (UK, Japan) — which actually suits Malta.

A quiet residential street in a Maltese town at golden hour

Moving to Malta

Shipping Belongings to Malta: Customs Duty Relief Guide 2026

If you are establishing permanent residence in Malta, you may be able to import your personal belongings duty-free under the Removal of Residence Relief. This guide explains who qualifies, what is covered, and how to apply.

Official SourceLast updated 9 June 2026

AI illustration · MaltaPathway

Removal of Residence Relief — the basics

Under EU customs law (and Maltese law following it), individuals moving their normal place of residence to Malta can import their personal belongings free of import duty and VAT. This is called Removal of Residence Relief (or Transfer of Residence Relief).

The relief covers furniture, household effects, personal items, and a personal vehicle — provided you owned and used these items for at least six months before moving and they are not being imported for a commercial purpose.

Eligibility conditions

Condition	Details
Prior ownership	You must have owned and personally used the items for at least 6 months before moving to Malta
Normal place of residence change	You must be genuinely establishing your normal place of residence in Malta (not a holiday move or temporary stay)
No commercial use	Goods must not be used for business or commercial purposes after import
No sale or transfer	Goods imported under relief must not be sold, lent, or transferred for at least 12 months after import
Application timing	You must apply to Maltese Customs before or at the time of import — not after the goods arrive

Malta Customs and ExciseLast verified: 2026-06-09.

Apply before your goods arrive

The Removal of Residence Relief application must be submitted to Malta Customs before or at the time of importation. If you apply after your goods have cleared customs, you will not be able to claim the relief retroactively. Your shipping company should coordinate this timing.

Items typically covered

Furniture (sofas, beds, wardrobes, tables)
Household appliances (washing machines, fridges — if you owned them 6+ months)
Personal clothing and effects
Books, art, hobby equipment
One personal vehicle (conditions apply — see below)
Bicycles, motorcycles

Items typically NOT covered

Alcohol and tobacco — subject to duty even under removal of residence
Commercial goods or stock
New items purchased specifically for the move
Items owned for fewer than 6 months before moving
Items intended for sale or business use

Importing a vehicle

A personal vehicle can be imported under the same relief if it was owned and used personally for at least 6 months before the move. A second or additional vehicle generally does not qualify. You must not sell or transfer the vehicle for 12 months after import.

Malta drives on the left. Right-hand-drive vehicles (from the UK, Japan, Australia) are legal and practical — they match Malta’s road setup. Left-hand-drive vehicles are technically legal but are less common and can be mildly awkward on narrow roads.

After importing a vehicle, you must register it with Transport Malta and obtain a Maltese number plate within three months.

Choosing a shipping company

For shipping goods from continental Europe, air freight or road/sea combined is common. From further afield (Americas, Asia, Gulf countries), sea freight in a shared container or full container is standard. Key things to look for in a shipping company for Malta:

Experience with Malta Customs removal of residence procedures — ask specifically.
Will they handle the customs declaration on your behalf?
Do they offer door-to-door delivery in Malta?
What is their insurance policy for lost or damaged goods?
Are they a member of FIDI (international relocation industry body)?

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About this guide

Maintained by MaltaPathway

This guide is written from public sources and kept up to date where possible. MaltaPathway is an independent visitor guide and is not affiliated with any official body. Source policy, correction policy, and monetization disclosure live on the About and trust page.

Sources

Official SourceMoving to Malta — Customs and Excise DepartmentVerified 9 Jun 2026

Official SourceMoving to MaltaVerified 9 Jun 2026

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