Import Rules and Regulations – Malta

Considering importing a car from Japan to Malta? The rules below cover which cars Malta accepts, the two certificates a car needs before it leaves Japan, how it is shipped, and the taxes you pay when it arrives.

Malta is the only Carbarn destination that asks for two certificates from Japan, so the paperwork is prepared before the car is loaded rather than chased after it lands.

Key Import Guidelines

Vehicle Age Restrictions: Malta sets no maximum age for cars or vans. The minimum registration tax rises with the vehicle's age, so age changes what a car costs to register, not whether you may import it.

Steering Position: Only right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles are accepted.

Mandatory Inspections

In Japan — two certificates, both issued before the car is loaded:

• SVA Certificate (VCA Nagoya): a Single Vehicle Approval certificate, issued in Japan by the Vehicle Certification Agency from its Nagoya office, confirming the car is approved for Malta.
• JEVIC Odometer Certificate: issued by the Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center, confirming the mileage showing on the clock before the car is exported.

In Malta: once the car has cleared customs, it is presented to Transport Malta to be checked and registered. The €140 fixed fees below include that inspection.

Shipping and Port Details

• Destination Ports: Marsaxlokk / Valletta
• Shipping Method: RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
• Carrier: K-Line
• Sailing Schedule: Monthly
• Time at sea: 40–45 days

Duties and Taxes

Duty and VAT are worked out on the CIF value: the price of the vehicle plus the cost of shipping it. Marine insurance is not part of that value and is billed when the car arrives.

• Customs Duty: 10% of the CIF value
• VAT: 18% of the CIF value plus customs duty
• Registration Tax: set by Transport Malta from the vehicle's registration value, its CO₂ emissions and its length — (registration value × CO₂ rate) + (registration value × length rate) — with a minimum charge that starts at €800 and rises with emissions and age
• Fixed Fees: €140, covering administration, plates and inspection

Listings do not carry a CO₂ figure, so the cost calculator on this site uses a standard registration tax of €2,500 for a Corolla-class car. Once the car's CO₂ figure is known, the full formula above replaces that figure.

A lower rate of customs duty can apply where Japanese origin documents are available for that specific car; quotes are prepared at the standard rate. Import duty, VAT and registration tax are set by law and can change, so check with the Customs Department and Transport Malta for the current position.

Required Documents for Customs Clearance

• Registration Certificate (Country of Origin): the car's Japanese registration record
• Export Certificate: issued in Japan when the car is de-registered for export
• Original Invoice: the sale document customs uses to value the car
• SVA Certificate (VCA Nagoya): confirms the car was approved for Malta before it left Japan
• JEVIC Odometer Certificate: confirms the mileage on the clock before the car was exported
• Bill of Lading: issued by the shipping line for that sailing
• Condition Report: describes the exterior, interior and mechanical condition

Process Steps

1. Choose a right-hand drive car from Carbarn stock and confirm the quote.
2. Carbarn arranges the SVA certificate and the JEVIC odometer certificate in Japan.
3. The car is loaded on a monthly K-Line RoRo sailing to Marsaxlokk / Valletta.
4. When it arrives, your clearing agent lodges the customs entry and duty and VAT are worked out.
5. Transport Malta sets the registration tax, and the car is checked, registered and given plates.

Both certificates are issued in Japan and travel with the car, so a Malta car import is not held up while paperwork is chased after the car has landed.