Countries · MT

Malta: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 76 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Malta.Lists last checked .

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Malta in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Malta may still be on a list.

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On the sanctions lists

76 entries on the official lists name Malta — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

ListEntries
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)49
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List27

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Malta recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Malta: logistics and trade

Mediterranean transshipment hub / EU island state

Malta (ISO code: MT) is an island state in the central Mediterranean south of Sicily and a member of the European Union and the eurozone. It is a parliamentary republic with a Mediterranean climate. The economy is strongly service-oriented (tourism, financial services, ICT, online gaming) and has a sizeable pharmaceuticals and electronics export sector. As an EU member it applies the Union Customs Code and the common external tariff; import VAT is 18 percent. Because of its insular position, supply depends on sea and air freight. The Malta Freeport at Marsaxlokk is one of the leading transshipment hubs in the Mediterranean, handling about 2.86 million TEU in 2024, while Grand Harbour Valletta serves general cargo, RoRo and cruise traffic and Malta International Airport (MLA) handles air freight. The currency is the euro (EUR).

Capital
Valletta
Population
574,250
Area
316 km²
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Continent
Europe
Region
Southern Europe / Mediterranean
Economic area
EU / Eurozone / EU customs union
Religions
Catholicism, Anglicanism, Islam, Judaism
Access to the sea
Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation
Malta Freeport is expanding terminal capacity (quay extension) for megacontainer ships over 23000 TEU; no nationwide disruption verified (as of 2026-07-24).
Seasonal conditions
Mediterranean climate; occasional autumn/winter storms (incl. Gregale) can briefly disrupt port operations and ferries. Hot, dry summers.

Main seaports

  • Marsaxlokk

    Marsaxlokk (MT MAR): Malta Freeport, a leading Mediterranean container transshipment hub run by CMA CGM, handling about 2.86 million TEU in 2024.

Main cargo airports

  • Malta International AirportMLA

    Malta International Airport (MLA): about 23,624 t of cargo in 2024, handled at the old Luqa terminal. EU customs, Malta Freeport and Catania as alternative.

Main trade lanes

  • Mediterranean transshipment Europe - North Africa - Middle East
  • EU single market (Italy, Germany, France)

Customs and import

Customs authority Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA), Customs DepartmentOfficial website ↗

Import customs system
EU customs union under the Union Customs Code; electronic declaration via the National Import System (NIS) of the MTCA, advance data via ICS2.
Export customs system
National Export System (NES) of the MTCA within the EU export system (AES/ECS), with electronic export declaration and exit confirmation.
Import VAT
Import VAT 18 percent standard rate; reduced rates 12, 7, 5 and 0 percent (e.g. 5 percent on books, certain medical devices and art).
Proofs of origin and trade agreements
EU preferential origin via EUR.1, origin declaration and REX; as an EU member, all EU free trade agreements and the common EU external tariff apply.
Restricted and prohibited goods
EU-wide bans/restrictions: weapons, drugs, certain food and animal products, CITES species, cultural goods; national licence and permit requirements.

Typical import documents

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Customs declaration (NIS)
  • Transport document (B/L or AWB)
  • Proof of origin/preference (if preferential)

Typical export documents

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Export declaration (NES)
  • Transport document
  • EUR.1 / origin declaration (if preferential)

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity
Medium
Customs delays
Low to medium
Port congestion
Low
Dangerous goods relevance
Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance
Medium to high
E-commerce relevance
Medium

Trade

Top import goods

  • Machinery
  • Vehicles
  • Crude oil
  • Electronics
  • Food

Top export goods

  • Machinery
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Electronics
  • Fish
  • Chemicals

Typical cargo

  • Container transshipment
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Mineral oil and energy
  • Consumer and capital goods
  • Food

Upcoming public holidays

  • Immaculate ConceptionTue, 8 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
  • Republic DaySun, 13 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
  • Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
  • New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
  • Feast of St Paul's ShipwreckWed, 10 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
  • Feast of St JosephFri, 19 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
  • Good FridayFri, 26 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
  • Freedom DayWed, 31 Mar 2027 · businesses closed

Latest logistics news

Logistics questions

What is the import VAT rate in Malta?

The standard VAT rate is 18 percent and also applies to imports. There are reduced rates of 12, 7, 5 and 0 percent, for example 5 percent on books, certain medical equipment and imported works of art, collectors' items and antiques. The Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA) is responsible.

Which customs system applies in Malta?

Malta is part of the EU customs union and applies the Union Customs Code and the common EU external tariff. Imports are declared electronically through the MTCA's National Import System (NIS) and exports through the National Export System (NES); ICS2 applies for advance cargo data.

How important is the Malta Freeport?

The Malta Freeport in Marsaxlokk is one of the largest transshipment and logistics centres in the Mediterranean. In 2024 it handled around 2.86 million TEU, over 96 percent of it transshipment. Deep-water quays (up to 17 m) accommodate mega container vessels; CMA CGM uses it as its Mediterranean hub.

Which ports and airports handle the cargo?

Container cargo goes through the Malta Freeport in Marsaxlokk/Birzebbuga, while general cargo, RoRo and cruise traffic use Grand Harbour in Valletta. Air freight is handled at Malta International Airport (MLA) in Luqa. As an island state, Malta relies entirely on sea and air links.

Which currency is used in Malta?

Malta has been part of the eurozone since 2008; the legal tender is the euro (EUR). This facilitates trade and settlement within the EU single market and avoids exchange-rate risk versus other euro countries.

Are there free-trade or preferential arrangements?

As an EU member, Malta applies all EU free-trade agreements. Preferential origin is proven via EUR.1, an origin declaration or the REX system. Within the EU single market, customs duties between member states are fully removed.

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Powered by Freight Academy, verified 24 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.

Indicator: the route rules of the Sanctioni check, curated from the published sanctions programmes of the UN, EU, UK, Switzerland and the US. Entries: the live version of each list (data sources), updated every 6 hours.

A preliminary screening aid — not legal advice and not a compliance clearance. The official publication of the competent authority prevails.

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