15.06.2020 COVID-19 [Malawi] Bulletin n° 1 - CIQP : 15 June 2020 (Bulletin on Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Procedures)
IMPORTATION AND CUSTOMS
Customs, land, sea
Land cargo is allowed.
(Information dated 18 May: Logistics Cluster)
Land border status with neighboring countries:
- Mozambique: Cargo movement is allowed. Certain borders are operating normally; others are only allowing specific commodities. Foreign truckers are subjected to transhipment.
- Tanzania: Cargo movement is allowed.
- Zambia: Truck drivers with cross-border consignments undergo extensive screening at border entries.
(Information updated 15 June: Logistics Cluster)
Customs, importation procedure
Measures in place in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19
The Malawi Government has waived duty on the importation of goods for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 to fight the further spread of the pandemic in Malawi. These good include:
- Ventilators;
- Oxygen concentrators;
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs);
- Hand sanitizers, soaps, water treatment chemicals and such other goods as the Commissioner General may approve.
The new CPCs that provide for waiver of duty on the importation of these essential goods are as follow:
- 4000.405 for direct imports;
- 4071.405 for goods from bonded warehouses.
Importers of these essential goods must apply for duty waiver to the Commissioner General and they should specify list of items they are importing, their costs and quantities.
Regular measures in place
Imports by NGOs:
Certain types of goods when imported directly or from bonded warehouses by registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), are allowed duty free entry or at reduced duty rates. This is possible through the use of various Customs Procedure Codes (CPCs) which specify the types of goods under a particular CPC. This may also apply to Trusts and other charitable organizations.
- CPC 4000.431/4071.431: Under this CPC, registered NGOs by Council for Non- Governmental Organization in Malawi (CONGOMA) are allowed to import duty free the following items; Foodstuffs, used clothing, used footwear, blankets, soap and toiletries approved by the Commissioner General for free distribution to or for the use of persons in need or distress when imported by charitable organization recognized by the responsible Minister.
- CPC 4000.438 (d)/4071.438(d): Under this CPC NGOs are allowed to import, at concessionary duty rates of 10% import duty and 16.5% VAT, two goods carrying motor vehicles of tariff heading 87.04 in every five years.
- CPC 4000.439/4071.439: Under this CPC NGOs are allowed to import, at concessionary duty rate of 10% import duty and 16.5% VAT, one passenger carrying motor vehicle of tariff heading 87.02 in every five years. (Information dated 17 January 2018, Malawi Revenue Authority)
The list of prohibited and restricted imports is available here. Forthcoming Contact information: Forthcoming |