FAQs

Only those items listed in the Schedule to the Export Control Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 117.02), require an export license and only if they are being sent to non-EU countries. These are:
– Antiques and articles and objects of historical value
– Carts, cabs and landaus
– Malta stone and objects made therefrom
– Rough diamonds of headings 7102.10, 7102.21 and 7102.31
– Petroleum products, the following – petrol, fuel oil, diesel, kerosene and liquidified gas.

The information required in the application form has to be provided in full. This includes the name and contact details of the exporter and of the declarant/representative, the exporting ship or airline, the port or airport where the goods will be landed, the final destination of the goods, the description of the item being exported, the quantity and the H.S. Code. When the application is for a petroleum product the country of origin must also be specified. For certain goods endorsement by other entities/authorities must be secured on the backside of the same application form prior to presenting it to the Import/Export Unit. For a full explanation of what compiling the form entails, refer to the Guidelines section.
COVID-19 related changes: In view of social distancing measures, the application procedures have been changed. Refer to the Coronavirus Related Measures​ for further information.
The form has to be signed by the exporter or the declarant/representative, who must tick the applicable box in Section 4.

The application form should be filled in electronically and presented to the Commerce Department, Import/Export Unit – Lascaris Bastions, Daħlet Ġnien is-Sultan, Valletta, VLT 1933. Ensure that it is printed back to front. The export application should have five sheets (nine pages) including the Holder’s copy and the Issuing Authority’s copy.

The Harmonized System (HS) is a tool for classifying goods. The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, also known as tariff nomenclature, is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers to classify traded products.

The HS Code can be found from the TARIC Consultation website. The supplier or manufacturer should also be able to provide it. Only the first four digits are required for application purposes.

Filing of an application is free of charge. Similarly, the issuance of a licence.

An export licence is valid for 1 month from the date of issue.

Assuming a complete and correct submission, a licence normally only takes a few working days to be issued. However, there are a few exceptions, in particular where inter-departmental consultation has to be carried out post submission. This may be a lengthy process and is not time bound. Inter-departmental review is normally applied for applications concerning petroleum products and where the countries involved are subject to sanctions considerations.

No, expired licences cannot be renewed. A new application must be filed.

A separate application form must be completed for items which do not fall under the same description and HS heading (first four digits). Similarly, if any of the other information requested in the application differs.​

EU or third-country based companies may equally apply for export licences.​​