Malta is an island, so unlike most of Europe the car can't simply be put on a transporter and driven over. It goes by sea. That sounds like more of a job than it is, and it's one we handle from your address to the UK.
- Port
- Valletta
- Guide price
- From £1,725, shipping only
- Transit time
- Usually 1 to 4 weeks
- Import tax
- 20% VAT, no duty if EU or UK-built
How the car gets here
Cars from Malta leave from Valletta's Grand Harbour, Malta's main cargo port, and travel by RoRo or in a container. Transit is usually 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the sailing.
We collect from your address, deal with the port and the shipping, clear the car through UK customs as HMRC CDS authorised agents and bring it to our site in Castle Donington. Our guide to container, RoRo or air explains how the methods differ, and we'll recommend the one that suits your car.
Import tax from Malta
Malta is in the EU, so a car coming from there pays 20% import VAT. There is no duty if the car was built in the EU or the UK. Check where yours was built: a Japanese-built car, for example, would pay 10% duty as well.
A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty. If you are moving to the UK after at least 12 months abroad and have owned the car for at least 6, Transfer of Residence means no import tax at all. Our worked tax examples show what the rates mean in pounds.
Left-hand traffic, so fewer changes
Cars in Malta are set up for driving on the left, like the UK, so you're spared the headlight work that left-hand drive cars from the continent need. Two things are still worth checking. Many cars there carry a speedometer in km/h, which we convert to mph, and a car that came from Japan originally may be right-hand drive but still needs the usual checks. Our guide to speedometer and headlight conversions covers how we do it.
A car over 10 years old then needs an MOT, and one over 40 years old doesn't. Newer cars may need a Certificate of Conformity or an IVA test, which we can arrange on our own site. See our Certificate of Conformity guide.
Your Malta paperwork
0 of 5 done
What it costs
As a guide, shipping from Malta starts from £1,725. That's shipping only: registration, other services, import tax and any remedial work are on top. Your quote prices your actual car and route.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to ship a car from Malta to the UK?
Usually 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the sailing and the method. Your quote gives the timing for your car.
How much does it cost?
Our guide price starts from £1,725 for shipping only. Import tax, registration and any conversion work are extra.
Do I pay import tax on a car from Malta?
Yes, usually 20% VAT, with no duty if the car was built in the EU or UK. Transfer of Residence can make it tax free if you are moving here.
Can you collect the car from my address?
Yes. We collect from your address and handle the port, the shipping, customs and delivery.
Can you register the car in the UK?
Yes. We do any conversions, testing and DVLA registration on our own site.
Send us the car's details and we'll come back with a bespoke quote.
