Importing household items - Customs.

We didn't

J.

Hi, On the subject of Importing Household items I shipped a 20 ft container abeit was 7 years ago and used Grimadi Lines but they have now ceased their container service. if you are only thinkng about a few cubic meters then I use a local company here  facebook.com/pages/Connect-Express-Couriers/136832013036490?v=info  to ship my pallets from the UK. they are very competative, safe and secure and nice guys as well. Call Marvic (moderated: use pm) for a door to door quotation. I would suggest you prepare a detailed 'packing list' then if Customs do check a box or two the numbered box will correspond with the list and there should be no problems. Mike.Gozo

Oh sorry, I wasnt registered or had ID card at the time either...

Hi

I moved from outside EU (Switzerland) to Malta in 2007 and had to lodge a deposit of LM 500 (€ 1170) per 20 ft container. After 12 months the money was paid back to me; I had to show the receipt of my Tax Return and a letter from a lawyer stating my permanence in Malta for the past year (don't laugh, it's true!). No Maltese ID was asked, my Finnish passport was enough.

Likki

will you be moving contents from another EU country ? If so, with a few exceptions like vehicles, then they can be imported tax free, with no need to be a resident

Thanks for the feedback. As you may know I am moving from UK, I am aware of tax etc. I also have engaged a freighting service (Abels) but I read elsewhere that one had to prove residence on Malta/Gozo before household items would be cleared through customs. This rang internal alarm bells as this could affect date of shipping and perhaps raises issues and costs concerning storage, if required. I have written to Abels asking them the question, (awaiting response)yet I was interested to find out if anyone else knew anything as in my mind pppppp (prior planning prevents piss poor performance). Also I am going to try to get an appointment for residence in the first 2 weeks when we are at Marsaskala in July before moving on to our apartment on Gozo. This will cut down unnecessary travel and hassle (I hope) and also get our stuff asap after arrival. I expect that after all this it will just depend upon the day and the person I have to deal with at customs.

Found this info -

A Guide to Importing Personal Effects & Household Goods to Malta
What Items Can I Take?
Permitted Items Any household goods and personal effects which have been purchased
within the UK (regardless of whether they are new or used) may be imported into
Malta free of duty and tax (customs may require purchase receipts for new items).
Restricted Items Guns & firearms (with a bore of less than 0.177 inches), alcohol, tobacco, animals
& foodstuffs are all restricted items. Please check with our office before shipping these items.
Prohibited Items Guns with a bore exceeding 0.177 inches, perishable
foodstuffs, Drugs & narcotics and pornographic material are all prohibited from
being imported into Malta. Please do not include these items in your shipment.

Terry

We imported a trailer tent from the UK in December and had no problems. It came into Hal far and was taken to the bonded area outside the docks. When I went to pick it up with  car / spare numberplate and tow bar the security guy told me that I was not allowed to take a car into the area ! When I pointed out that it was a trailer and needed a car to pull it, he just said no cars.
After a little bit of " i said / he said " another guy came over and said to go in and don't tell anyone.
Well it made us laugh, OIM.

Terry

There are minimal restrictions (as you would expect) if its intra EU and an EU person doing the importing. AFAIK, alcohol and tobacco are allowed, if for personal consumption.

Received this from Abels 'If goods are originating from an EU country, there is no customs clearance involved and goods can be released on arrival. Though client has to see what obligation he has with local authorities but will not effect clearance process.'

This however, doesn't answer the specific question of mine which was when? and not what? or how?

redmik wrote:

Received this from Abels 'If goods are originating from an EU country, there is no customs clearance involved and goods can be released on arrival. Though client has to see what obligation he has with local authorities but will not effect clearance process.'

This however, doesn't answer the specific question of mine which was when? and not what? or how?

No, you do not need residency as an EU  national, just a valid address and someone to be at the  address for delivery.

Terry

Thanks tearnet :-)

our stuff is in transit as I type, afaik, intra EU the are no customs restrictions including cars. However, the shipping companies will make you itemise and label anyway for insurance purposes.

The car fees are for registration not import duty?

My company is doing everything, packing, listing, unpacking etc.

brayster99 wrote:

The car fees are for registration not import duty?

correct, but the end result is that a resident has to pay to bring in a vehicle (unless owned for at least 2 years)