International Removals to MALTA from the UK

Shipping to Malta from the UK usually takes between 1-4 weeks for a sole use or full container (FCL) to arrive at most imports, including Birkirkara, St. Paul’s Bay, Żabbar and Qormi. Shared containers (LCL) and moves to Gozo and Victoria could take slightly longer.

Air freight to Malta delivers in about 7-14 days.

Unfortunately, the timescales for shipping to Malta are not precise. We would love to be able to give our customers exact timings for international removals to Malta, but several factors come into play when shipping internationally, and some of them are beyond our control.

On arrival, your shipping container will need to be cleared by customs and how long this takes can vary depending on how busy the port is. For this reason, all shipping times are only estimates. It is important to mention that there is a good chance that a part load container, sometimes referred to as a shared or LCL, will take longer to arrive than a full container load, FCL.

The cost of removals to Malta will depend on several factors, such as the volume of goods you are sending, what packing is required, and the distance you are from the port. As a rough estimate, expect pricing around £2,298 for a one bedroom house, £5,621 for a three bedroom household and £8,895 for a four bedroom house.

There will also be additional costs to consider, such as optional insurance/shipment protection and Maltese customs inspection fees that need to be paid on arrival.

The best way to get a more accurate price or estimate is to call our team on 01942 557102 or request a removals quote online. They can also advise on the best way to reduce your removal costs.

Additional fees that are not included in your removal costs quote include customs inspection fees, duties and port fees payable on arrival in Malta, storage services and maritime insurance or shipment protection cover, which is recommended but not required.

 Items you should avoid importing into Malta

When considering a move to Malta it’s essential to be aware of the items that are either prohibited or restricted. Just like any other country, Malta has its own set of rules regarding what can and cannot be brought into the nation. It’s crucial for anyone importing items into Malta to verify if the items are restricted or prohibited and then act accordingly.

Here are some examples of items that are restricted for import into Malta and where pre-approval might be necessary:

• Animals, including pets, which are subject to specific import restrictions.
• Endangered animals, plants, and their derivative products protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) might require special permits.
• Meat, poultry, and other animal products, including items made from leather and ivory.
• Plants and plant products, encompassing fruits, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and seeds.

The following are examples of prohibited items for import into Malta:

• Meat and dairy products originating from non-EU countries.
• Military weapons and goods, with the exception of antiques that are part of a collection.
• Narcotics and hallucinogens.
• Pornographic and obscene materials.
• Flick knives and other offensive weapons.
• Counterfeit currency.

For a comprehensive list and detailed guidance on items that can and cannot be imported into Malta, as well as advice on preparing your items for shipping, it’s recommended to visit the official customs website.

Our international removals service is perfect for shipping your furniture to Malta from the UK.

For furniture removals, every item is carefully packed or ‘export wrapped’ using packing materials such as blanket wrap. All furniture pieces including sofas, armchairs, beds, tables and cupboards can be packed and shipped in a container.

As large items are bulky you consider which are cost effective to send. For example, most houses and apartments in Malta have built-in wardrobes so it might not be worthwhile shipping these.

As cars are expensive and people drive on the left side in Malta, it is certainly worth considering shipping your vehicle in a 40 ft container alongside your house contents.

Malta does have strict import criteria for cars so speak to our team to ensure that importing your vehicle is feasible and cost effective.

Some paperwork will be required but we can help you ensure it is all completed correctly, and our agents will take care of customs clearance for you.

United International Removals take great care to ensure your belongings are well-packed and taken care of during their journey. We only use accredited shipping lines and partners to ensure the highest service levels.

However, due to the nature of international shipping and removals, it is recommended that you take out your own maritime insurance policy or shipment protection cover for complete peace of mind. Just like when you mail a parcel overseas, the shipping company cannot cover the full value of your goods in the unlikely event of something going missing or being broken.

We can offer and recommend a highly flexible Shipment Protection Cover that will provide you with many advantages.

This cover is simple and easy to put in place. All that is required is completing a shipment protection valuation form detailing the items that need to be covered and their value.

The shipment protection costs are calculated on the value of the belongings you want to cover and whether you have packed them yourself or if they have been packed professionally.

Will you need storage in the UK or Malta?

Moving from one location in the UK to another is rarely the smooth process that people hope for, so it goes without saying that when you move to another country, the entire process can become a little trickier.

Often people find that they have a period once they have sold their property and before they move when they need to place their belongings in storage, and this is something we can help you with.

We have several storage solutions depending on your needs. We can arrange storage for your personal effects in the UK before they are shipped or in Malta after they arrive – whichever suits your situation.

Suppose the issue is that you do not have a fixed address in Malta to ship your belongings to. In that case, we can arrange for your household goods and personal effects to be placed in storage in Malta whilst you sort out accommodation.

Once you have a property ready, our local movers can arrange delivery of your belongings from storage.

Many of our customers worry about customs clearance for all of their belongings when they arrive in Malta especially since Brexit. This is something that we can help you with. You may find the following information useful when planning your move.

If you are an EU citizen you should have no problem with customs. For non-EU citizens moving to Malta you are able to import used personal effects and household goods duty free but you should check that you meet the reuirements and have all the correct documentation.

Customs regulations and duties are subject to change, so it can be a good idea to check for the most up-to-date guidelines and information.

If you do not meet the criteria for household effects, or it is deemed that your goods are commercial imports, then Customs duty and GST may be applied.

On arrival in Malta, your household goods and personal effects will require inspection and clearance from Maltese Customs before they are allowed into the country.

In order for your shipping container to be released, you will need to pay any Malta Customs inspections and customs fees, and also any quarantine fees. These will be payable locally. Our agents in Malta will be able to assist you with the customs clearance process.

The personal Move Coordinator who is assigned to you when you choose us to assist with your removal will be able to advise you with information regarding what you can and can’t take to Malta and how you can prepare and clean your items for shipping. If you prefer, our expert packers can help you with this.