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Information for Travellers 

Arriving in Malawi

If you are a traveller or passenger arriving at one of Malawi’s international airports or border crossing you may bring into Malawi any personal belongings that do not exceed the amounts permitted.  These amounts are listed below.

4000.428

The following goods when imported by a person not normally resident in Malawi solely for his use, in his accompanied or unaccompanied baggage:

All personal and household goods which the proper officer is satisfied will be properly re-exported on or before the person’s departure from Malawi.

NOTE: The relief from duty provided for in this heading shall be in addition to those provided in heading 101.16.

4000.429

The following goods when imported Direct Importation by a traveller in accompanied baggage not intended for sale or commercial use:

1. (a) 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco in any other form;

    (b) One litre of wine or beer;

    (c) One litre of spirituous beverages;

    (d) ¼ litre of toilet water and 50 g of perfume

NOTE: The relief from duty listed at (a) to (d) above are applicable only to persons of an age of 16 years or more.

2. (a) Dutiable goods whether new or used not exceeding K300,000 in value per person;

   (b) Goods which the proper officer has no reason to doubt were obtained in Malawi and were lawfully cleared from Customs control;

   (c) In unaccompanied baggage, goods which the proper officer has no reason to    doubt were obtained in Malawi and were lawfully cleared from Customs control.

NOTE: This CPC shall not apply in the case of goods Imported by a person returning to Malawi after an absence therefrom of less than 24 hours.

You are otherwise bound by all regulations and requirements concerning the import of foreign or Malawi currency, precious objects, archaeological and cultural objects and any other restricted or prohibited goods.

You do not need to fill in a Customs declaration form and you can choose to walk through the green 'Nothing to Declare' channel.  If you have any goods in excess of the limits above or goods that are restricted or prohibited you should walk through the red 'Something to Declare' channel and declare the goods when questioned by the Customs officer.

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Leaving Malawi

If you are a traveller or passenger leaving Malawi's international airports or border crossing you do not need to fulfill any specific Customs procedures unless you are intending to export goods that are subject to restrictions or prohibitions. In this respect you must comply with the normal regulations with regards to these categories of goods which are issued by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. Please refer to the list of prohibited goods or the list of goods that require an export permit to be obtained. If you are in any doubt, report to the Customs authorities at the border.

Temporary Exports

If an exporter requires exporting goods that will be returned to Malawi for purposes such as for processing, repair, or returning in an unaltered state; these Items need to be registered with Customs as a temporary export at the time of exiting, this will allow the individual to return into Malawi with the items without having to pay further VAT or duties. 

Click here for the reference document of Temporary Export Permit by MRA (Form 38)

Click here for the reference document of the General Registration Certificate (Form 48).

Travellers entering Malawi using a foreign registered vehicles

When entering into Malawi with a foreign registered car it is a requirement to purchase a single entry permit, road token and Insurances. 

Travellers/tourists should refer to the Malawi Tourism Guide for information on tourist attractions.

Visa Information

To acquire information on application and acquisition of a visa for entry into Malawi, visit the Malawi Department of Immigration website.

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