Menu

Open Mobile Menu

Malawi

JVK Africa Ltd.
60/43 Mphonongo Road
Lilongwe, Malawi
Tel: +265 999-855- 179
Fax: +265 888-855-179
E-mail: Please contact branch through the Contact Us page

MALAWI
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS

Customs officials may demand physical examination on all household effects.

Diplomats- New Residents:
The consignee must have arrived in the country before the goods arrive. She/he will be required to be present at customs to sign the duty free forms. Goods must be imported within 6 months after the work permit has been granted. The goods must be used for more than 6 months. New Furniture and household goods are dutiable and invoices are required. Alcoholic beverages may be imported up to a maximum of 5 liters of which not more than 2 liters are spirits. Otherwise duty will be payable on the alcohol.

Documents required:

  • Copy of passport showing nationality and date of arrival
  • Copy of diplomatic card from the organization and its color
  • Notification of arrival issued by the Treasury department
  • Inventory with serial numbers for electrical appliances
  • Bill of lading or Airway Bill
  • The Consignee should be the SAME as the consignor

Non-Diplomats- New Residents:
The consignee must have arrived in the country before the goods arrive. She/he will be required to be present at customs to sign the duty free forms. Goods must be imported within 6 months after the work permit has been granted. The goods must be used for more than 6 months. New Furniture and household goods are dutiable and invoices are required. Alcoholic beverages may be imported up to a maximum of 5 liters of which not more than 2 liters are spirits. Otherwise duty will be payable on the alcohol.

Documents required:

  • Copy of passport showing their nationality and date of arrival
  • Resident/temporary employment permit
  • Letter of employment from the employer
  • Inventory with serial numbers for electrical appliances
  • Bill of lading or Airway Bill


Returning Residents:
The consignee must have arrived in the country before the goods arrive. She/he will be required to be present at customs to sign the duty free forms. Goods must be imported within 6 months after the work permit has been granted. The goods must be used for more than 6 months. New furniture and household goods are dutiable and invoices are required. Alcoholic beverages may be imported up to a maximum of 5 liters of which not more than 2 liters are spirits. Otherwise
duty will be payable on the alcohol. For returning residents that have been working/studying they need to bring proof of termination of employment or proof of studies completed. Returning Malawi Diplomats must obtain a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Documents required if returning resident has been absent more than one year:

  • Copy of passport showing the nationality
  • Proof from the passport that they have been out of the country for more than a year
  • Inventory with serial numbers for electrical appliances
  • Bill of lading or Airway Bill
  • The Consignees should be the same as the Consignor

Documents required if the returning resident has been absent less than one year:

  • Copy of passport showing their nationality
  • Invoice/Receipts of goods being imported
  • Certificate of Origin
  • Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
  • Inventory/Packing List for the goods

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS

The following items are prohibited:

  • Drugs and Narcotics
  • Pornographic Materials
  • Offensive Weapons
  • Forged Documents
  • Counterfeit money
  • Firearms may be imported with a special permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs
  • Citrus fruits, seeds and deciduous plants may not be imported unless an import license has been obtained in advance from the competent agricultural authorities

MOTOR VEHICLES (AUTOS AND MOTORBIKES)

There is a 10% Import Duty and 16.5% VAT on motor vehicles for new and returning residents. The vehicle must have been out of the country and owned for more then one year. Both new and returning residents must arrive in Malawi before the vehicle arrives, they must be physically

present at customs to sign the forms. The vehicle must be imported within 6 moths after the returning resident has arrived or after the work permit has been granted. No more then one vehicle per family. Vehicle must not be lent, hired, given away or disposed of within 5 years of customs clearance and importation.

Documents required:

  • Invoice and proof of ownership
  • Copy of passport showing their nationality and date of arrival
  • Copy of diplomatic card from the organization and its colour
  • Notification of arrival issued by the Treasury Department
  • Bill of Lading or Airway Bill

CONSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Please contact the JVK office for consignment instructions.

Back to top