Shipping a car to Malta typically costs £900–£2,400 by RORO or container, with transit times of 1–3 weeks since most routes involve transhipment via a mainland European hub port. Registration tax on permanent import is high, making Malta one of the costlier EU destinations for vehicle import. Valletta (Marsa) is the main receiving port.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to Malta?

Shipping a car to Malta typically costs between £900 and £2,400, reflecting the island’s reliance on transhipment through mainland European hub ports rather than direct sailings, which adds cost compared to nearby mainland routes.

Origin RegionRORO CostContainer Cost UK £1,100–£1,800£1,600–£2,400Western Europe£900–£1,500£1,300–£2,000Italy (nearest mainland hub)£700–£1,200£1,100–£1,700

Costs exclude Maltese VAT and registration tax, which apply separately and can be significant on permanent import.

What Are the Best Shipping Methods to Malta?

Container shipping is often more practical for Malta than RORO, since the island has fewer direct RORO services and most routes involve transhipment via Italy or another Mediterranean hub port.

MethodBest ForRoute FrequencyROROStandard roadworthy cars, cost-sensitive shipmentsModerate — mostly via mainland transhipmentContainerClassic, high-value, or non-running vehicles Good — reliable scheduling via hub ports

Because there’s no direct land or rail link to Malta, every shipping method ultimately depends on sea transhipment, which is worth understanding when comparing quotes and transit times.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car to Malta?

Transit time to Malta typically ranges from 1 to 3 weeks, largely determined by how quickly the vehicle can be transhipped at the connecting mainland port rather than pure sailing distance.

OriginTypical Transit TimeItaly (direct hub connection)1 weekWestern Europe (via hub)1–2 weeksUK (via hub)2–3 weeks

Transhipment scheduling can add variability to transit time — always confirm whether a quoted timeframe includes potential waiting time at the connecting port.

Do You Need to Pay Import Duty to Bring a Car into Malta?

As an EU member state, vehicles arriving from other EU countries generally avoid customs duty, but Malta charges Registration Tax and VAT on permanent import, which together can represent a substantial percentage of the vehicle’s value.

Key points:

• EU-origin vehicles — moving within the EU (e.g. Italy or Germany to Malta) generally don’t attract customs duty, but Malta’s Registration Tax still applies on permanent import, calculated based on the vehicle’s CO2 emissions and market value.
• Non-EU-origin vehicles (e.g. UK post-Brexit) — subject to EU customs duty in addition to Malta’s Registration Tax and VAT (18% standard rate), making UK-to-Malta permanent imports notably more expensive than EU-origin ones.
• Temporary import — visitors bringing a vehicle for short-term personal use may qualify for temporary import relief, but strict conditions apply and the vehicle generally cannot remain long-term.

Malta’s Registration Tax is one of the more complex calculations in the EU, factoring in emissions bands and vehicle value — always get a written estimate from Transport Malta or a licensed customs agent before committing to a permanent import.

What Documents Are Needed to Ship a Car to Malta?

Shipping a car to Malta requires proof of ownership, a valid passport, the vehicle’s registration document, and Maltese vehicle registration paperwork through Transport Malta for permanent imports.

Standard requirements:

• Vehicle registration document (logbook or equivalent)
• Passport/ID of the owner
• Proof of ownership or bill of sale
• Certificate of Conformity (COC) confirming EU technical compliance
• Export declaration from the origin country
• Transport Malta registration and Registration Tax assessment paperwork

Vehicles without a valid Certificate of Conformity may require additional roadworthiness testing before Maltese registration is granted, which can add time to the overall process.

Which Port Handles Car Shipping to Malta?

Malta’s main vehicle-receiving port is the Grand Harbour/Marsa area in Valletta, which handles the vast majority of the island’s shipping freight including vehicle imports.

PortNotesValletta (Marsa/Grand Harbour) Malta’s primary port; receives virtually all vehicle shipments to the island

Since Malta has effectively one primary vehicle-receiving port, route planning focuses on choosing the best origin and transhipment connection rather than comparing destination ports.

How Do You Ship a Car to Malta Step by Step?

1. Confirm import status and tax exposure — check EU vs non-EU origin treatment and get a Registration Tax estimate.
2. Choose a shipping method — RORO where available, or container via a mainland hub port.
3. Prepare documentation — registration, ownership proof, COC, and export paperwork.
4. Book and deliver the vehicle — to the origin or hub port for inspection and loading.
5. Track transit — including any transhipment stage via the connecting hub port.
6. Clear customs — via a licensed Maltese customs agent for duty (if applicable), VAT, and Registration Tax.
7. Register the vehicle — with Transport Malta once cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a direct RORO route to Malta?
 Direct RORO options are limited — most vehicle shipments to Malta involve transhipment via a mainland European hub port, typically in Italy.

Do I pay customs duty shipping a car from an EU country to Malta?
 Generally no for EU-origin vehicles, though Malta’s Registration Tax and VAT still apply on permanent import regardless of origin.

Is shipping a UK car to Malta more expensive than from an EU country?
 Yes — since Brexit, UK-origin vehicles face EU customs duty in addition to Malta’s Registration Tax and VAT, unlike EU-origin shipments.

How is Malta’s Registration Tax calculated?
 It’s based on a combination of the vehicle’s CO2 emissions and market value, making it one of the more complex vehicle taxes to estimate without a formal assessment.

Which port will my car arrive at in Malta?
 Nearly all vehicle shipments arrive at the Grand Harbour/Marsa port area in Valletta, Malta’s primary shipping hub.