Malta customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

Malta enforces strict biosecurity: no meat, dairy, or plants from outside the EU. Customs focuses on cash declarations and controlled medications. Duty-free allowances apply only to non-EU arrivals.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2 litres of wine/beer (under 22% ABV). Must be 18+. From EU countries: unlimited for personal use.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,900
€10,000 (approx. USD 10,900) or equivalent. Declare via the EU Cash Declaration Form at customs upon arrival.
Goods duty-free
$470
€430 (approx. USD 470) for air/sea travellers from non-EU countries. Above this, duty at 20% plus VAT at 18% applies. For EU travellers: unlimited personal goods, but commercial quantities may be taxed.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, even for medical use without a Maltese permit)
  • Firearms, ammunition, and explosives (except with police permit)
  • Counterfeit goods and pirated items
  • Endangered species and products (CITES)
  • Obscene or indecent material
  • Live animals without an EU pet passport and rabies vaccination

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Medications containing controlled substances (require permit from Medicines Authority)
  • Plants, seeds, and soil (require phytosanitary certificate)
  • Drones (must be registered with the Malta Civil Aviation Directorate; weight and flight restrictions apply)
  • Satellite phones (require a license from the Malta Communications Authority)
  • Cultural artifacts and antiques (export permit required for items over 50 years old)

Arriving: red vs green channel

Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare; red channel if you exceed allowances or carry restricted/prohibited items. No arrival card required. Customs officers may conduct random checks.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Minimum purchase €175 per receipt. Scheme: Tax Free Shopping. Claim at Malta International Airport (MIA) before check-in, at the VAT Refund Office (open 24/7). Refund is 14% of the VAT (18% rate).

Bringing medication

Personal medications in original packaging with a prescription for more than 30 days' supply. Controlled drugs (e.g., opioids, stimulants) require a Maltese import permit from the Medicines Authority. Pseudoephedrine is restricted.

Food, plants & animal products

No meat, dairy, or plant products from outside the EU. From EU countries: limited quantities for personal use. Declare any food, seeds, or plants at customs.

Rules worth knowing

EU Personal Use Limits

If arriving from another EU country, you can bring unlimited alcohol and tobacco for personal use, but customs may question quantities that appear commercial (e.g., more than 800 cigarettes or 10 litres of spirits).

Cash Declaration is Mandatory

Any person carrying €10,000 or more in cash (or equivalent) must declare it. Failure to declare can result in seizure and fines up to €500,000.

No Duty-Free for Intra-EU Travel

Duty-free allowances apply only when arriving from outside the EU. If you fly from another EU country, you cannot buy duty-free alcohol or tobacco at the airport of departure.

Strict Biosecurity for Non-EU Food

Meat, dairy, and plant products from non-EU countries are banned unless accompanied by an official health certificate. Even small quantities (e.g., a sandwich) can be confiscated and destroyed.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, since the UK is now a non-EU country, you are entitled to the €430 duty-free allowance for goods, plus the standard alcohol and tobacco limits (1L spirits, 200 cigarettes, etc.).
Codeine is a controlled substance in Malta. You need a permit from the Medicines Authority for any quantity exceeding 30 days' supply. For smaller amounts, carry a doctor's prescription and keep the medication in original packaging.
You must declare the excess in the red channel. Duty is charged at 20% on the value above €430, plus VAT at 18%. For example, if your goods are worth €600, duty is 20% of €170 = €34, and VAT is 18% of (€600 + €34) = €114.12.
There is no limit, but any amount of €10,000 or more (or equivalent in other currencies) must be declared. This includes banknotes, coins, traveler's cheques, and money orders.
Yes, but you must register it with the Malta Civil Aviation Directorate if it weighs over 250g. Drones over 4kg require a license. You cannot fly near airports, military areas, or over crowds without permission.
Personal electronics for your own use are generally allowed duty-free if they are clearly for personal use and not new in box. If you have multiple items (e.g., two laptops), customs may consider them commercial and charge duty.
You can bring any food from EU countries for personal use, including meat and dairy, as long as it is for your own consumption. However, large quantities (e.g., 10kg of cheese) may be questioned as commercial.

Official source

Malta Customs Department

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Malta Customs Department before travelling.