Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Malta in 2026

Malta's relatively small domestic car market and long-standing British connections make it a popular destination for UK residents relocating for work, retirement, or lifestyle reasons, as well as for classic car enthusiasts drawn to the island's mild climate and active collector scene. Because Malta drives on the left and has historically had close ties to the UK vehicle market, right-hand-drive UK cars fit naturally into local roads.

Since Brexit, UK vehicle exports to Malta are treated as exports to a non-EU country from the UK side and imports from a non-EU country from Malta's side, which means formal customs declarations and potential duty are now part of the process in a way they were not before 2021.

Malta is served by both RORO and container shipping, though RORO options are more limited than on major European mainland routes and often route via a Mediterranean hub port rather than sailing directly from a UK port. For 2026, RORO costs from a UK port to Malta typically range from £750 to £1,100 for a standard car, while a shared container costs between £950 and £1,400, and a dedicated container ranges from £1,700 to £2,400.

Transit time is generally two to four weeks depending on the routing and whether the shipment is transhipped via a hub port such as Valencia or Marseille before continuing to Valletta.

Since the UK left the EU, a vehicle shipped from the UK to Malta is subject to EU import procedures, including a customs declaration, potential import duty of around 10% for passenger cars manufactured outside the UK or without qualifying UK origin, and Maltese VAT of 18% calculated on the customs value plus duty and freight.

Vehicles that qualify as of UK preferential origin under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement may be eligible for reduced or zero duty, but this depends on where the vehicle itself, and its components, were originally manufactured, not simply that it was last registered in the UK. A customs broker experienced in the TCA rules of origin can confirm whether your specific vehicle qualifies before you ship it.

In addition to customs duty and VAT, Malta applies its own vehicle Registration Tax, which is calculated based on the vehicle's value, CO2 emissions, and engine size, with higher-emission vehicles attracting a proportionally larger tax bill. This tax can be substantial for larger-engined or older, less efficient vehicles, and should be calculated in advance using Malta's Transport Authority online registration tax calculator.

Owners relocating permanently to Malta with a vehicle they have owned and used for a minimum qualifying period in the UK may be eligible for Transfer of Residence relief, which can significantly reduce or eliminate registration tax and import VAT, making it well worth checking eligibility before shipping.

Consider a UK resident relocating to Malta with a five-year-old family car valued at £14,000. Shipping via RORO might cost around £900, marine insurance approximately £150, customs duty (if applicable) around £1,190 at 10%, and Maltese VAT at 18% on the duty-paid value roughly £2,700, plus Malta registration tax that varies significantly by CO2 emissions but might add a further £1,500–£3,000 for a mid-sized petrol or diesel car. This gives a potential total landed cost of £6,400–£8,000, though this could be substantially reduced if Transfer of Residence relief applies.

Given how much Transfer of Residence relief can change the final bill, anyone relocating permanently to Malta should apply for this relief before shipping their vehicle, as retrospective claims can be more difficult to process.

Because Malta's combination of customs duty, VAT, and registration tax can add up quickly, it is essential to get a clear picture of your total landed cost before committing to ship a vehicle, and to establish whether you qualify for any relief schemes. A Maltese customs broker or relocation specialist can help confirm this alongside your UK shipping provider.

The Ship Cars can arrange collection anywhere in the UK, book suitable RORO or container space to Malta, and help connect you with experienced local agents to manage registration and tax matters on arrival.