Temporary imported goods are those goods which come to Malawi for a short period and are subsequently re-exported within the specified period.
The goods that may be imported temporarily include vehicles and any other goods. For the vehicles, they are imported temporarily using a document known as “Temporary Importation Permit (TIP).”
Temporary importation of the other goods is subject to approval by the Commissioner General who sets the conditions for the temporary importation.
A TIP is a document especially designed to fulfill the following functions in respect of vehicles temporarily imported into Malawi and, in certain cases the goods carried thereon: entry of the vehicle and goods on imports; an undertaking by the importer to export the vehicle and goods within the period of validity or to pay the duty due; and the granting by the officer of permission for temporary importation (for a period not exceeding 1 month).
In respect of private vehicles, TIPs should be issued for a period of 30 days irrespective of the time the owner or driver anticipates being in Malawi but always provided the vehicle is insured against third party risks in Malawi for at least that period.
If the period of insurance is for less than 30 days, the period for the TIP is limited to that period. For commercial vehicles, the period allowed on the TIP should be sufficient for the anticipated stay of the vehicle in Malawi but subject to a maximum of 30 days.
Extensions of the period of validity of any TIP may be granted by Flexible Anti-Smuggling Teams (FAST) offices in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu only.
Requests for extensions should be in writing and for this purpose all FAST offices must keep themselves supplied with stocks of the extension forms which should be requisitioned as necessary from Head Office.
Vehicles on TIP if they are subsequently disposed of, the person so disposing shall forthwith pay to the Commissioner General any duty due and payable under Part III of the Customs and Excise (Tariffs) Order at the rates in force at the time of such disposal.
The Commissioner General may determine a value or remit a part of any specific duty in respect of such vehicle and may impose a fine of not less than 50 percent of the value for duty purpose for failure to re-export the vehicle.