Malta

Reaching the consumers

Marketing opportunities

Consumer behavior

The Maltese consumer was more traditionally focusing on prices and was keen on buying basic products (clothes, food). With the increase in purchasing power within the last twenty years, the consumer shifted his attention towards new needs. However, it should be noted that with the introduction of the Euro currency, the Maltese consumer may feel an increase in prices and may slightly adjust its consuming habits.

Consumer profile and purchasing power

In history, Malta appeared as a nation of "money savers". This tendency is now being contradicted by the realities of the country. Indeed, the Maltese population is consuming more and more. The proportion of consumption dedicated to necessities (food, clothes) fell drastically within the last ten years. On the other hand, the proportion of consumption linked to recreation, entertainment and other services rose significantly. This trend is also linked to the fact that the country is getting modern and economic growth is at a high rate.  

Consumers associations

Camalta , Consumers' Association of Malta

Main advertising agencies

Steve's & Co.
Marketing Communications

Distributing a product

Market shares

Malta does not have any natural resource wealth or any heavy industry: the country thus depends entirely on imports to meet its requirements of basic products, industrial products as well as consumer goods. Though Malta is a small market, it is characterised by the active presence of a multitude of trade companies, often family-run businesses but very competitive towards each other. These companies generally undertake import and distribution of goods at the same time. A few specialist importers also exist and they constantly keep on trying to expand their field of action by extending their product ranges. Retail outlets exist at the national level: a few supermarkets certainly exist and the distribution sector is going through a rapid modernising phase but large-scale distribution has not yet completely emerged in Malta.

Organizations in the retail sector

Association of General Retailers and Traders - Malta

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Party to the Kyoto protocol
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboudary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer
Wassenaar arrangement on export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies
Party of the International coffee agreement 2001

Main International economic cooperation

Malta is member of the European Union and Eurozone.

Non tariff barriers

There are no particular non-tariff barriers. However, in conformity with the EU legislation, licensing requirements are needed for the following:

 

-Common Agricultural Policies (CAP) (needed for imported foodstuffs).

-Trade Services Division Licenses (DTI)

-Ministry of Rural Affairs and Environment Licenses (for goods such as meat, poultry ,eggs which should undergo a veterinary checking at arrival)

-European Union License (for the import of depleting ozone substances and products). 

Customs duties and taxes on imports

As a full member of the European Union, Malta imposes customs tariffs on imports from non-EU countries. Rates of duties are contained in the Import Duties Act which may be accessed at: http://docs.justice.gov.mt/lom/Legislation/English/Leg/VOL_8/Chapt337.pdf

Customs classification

Since its accession to the European Union on May, 1st of 2004, Malta has adopted the EU Common External Tariff. Consequently, trade with Malta is totally free from customs duties, provided that the country of origin of the goods is one of the other EU Member States. Nevertheless, textile imports in Malta will undergo customs duties until 2009.

 

 When the country of origin of the goods exported to Malta is not part of the European Union, customs duties are calculated Ad valorem on the CIF value of the goods, in accordance with the Common Customs Tariff (CCT).

Duties for non-European countries are relatively low, notably for manufactured goods (4.2% on average for the general rate), however textile, clothing items (high duties and quota system) and food-processing industry sectors (average duties of a 17.3% and numerous tariff quotas, CAP) still know protective measures.

In order to get exhaustive regulations and customs tariffs rates regarding their products, exporters shall refer to the TARIC code and its database, including all applicable customs duties and all customs trade policy measures for all the goods.

For further information, please consult the information document published by the European Commission about the impact of EU enlargement on customs policy.

Import procedures

The EU "Taric" contains all references to the relevant import and export laws and regulations, including commodity codes for 65,000 products. It can be accessed at: http:/www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation/_customs/ddsen/home.htm

 

 

Imported goods in Malta should be accompanied by the Single Administrative Document (SAD). The supplier's invoice should also be joined for customs clearance.

Importing samples

Samples can be entered in the country with the same documentation procedure as other goods. For customs clearance, the samples must be accompanied by a commercial invoice stating 'samples without commercial value".  

For further information

Malta Customs

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means

Malta being an island, goods transportation operates by sea ; the maritime infrastructure of Malta are well developed and convenient.

For movements within the country, road transport is the best solution. 

Ports

The Maltese public transport authority
Malta Maritime Authority
Malta Freeport (in Marsaxlokk)
Port of Valletta

Airports

Malta International Airport

Sea transport organizations

Ministry of Infrastructure Transport and

 

 

Communications
Malta Maritime Authority

Air transport organizations

Department of Civil Aviation

Road transport organizations

Malta Transport Authority

Rail transport organizations

no railways in Malta

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

Key industry profiles for Malta are: pharmaceuticals and healthcare (mainly generics ; attractive because of the possibility to develop generic drugs in advance of patent expiry), ICT and electronics (software development), call centres (attractive because of the multilingual workforce), transport and logistics (maritime transport because of the location) and financial services (positive legislation towards the financial sector).

Business directories

Yellow Pages of Malta
White Pages of Malta
METCO , Directory of exporters.

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

the Malta Chamber of Commerce

Enterprises federation

Malta Federation of Industry