G/LIC/N/3/MWI/5  
 
14 February 20 17 
(17-0889) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONN AIRE ON IMPORT LICEN SING PROCEDURES1 
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 7.3 OF THE  
AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  (2016) 
MALAWI 
The following notification, dated 25 April 2016 , is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Malawi. 
 
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Outline of the System  
Import licensing system is regulated by the Control of Goods Act (Cap 18:08), and Schedule Part 1 
of the Control of Goods Act (Import and Export) (Agriculture) Regulations, 1988 establishing the 
list of goods  subject to import licensing. The licensing system is administered by the Department 
of Trade.  
 
Purpose and Coverage  
1  IMPORT AND EXPORT LI CENSING POLICY  
Malawi operates a liberal import and export licensing system under which very few commodities 
are subjec t to import and export licensing.  In general, import and export licences are issued by 
the Ministry of Industry and Trade although in certain specified cases, the licensing authorit y is 
delegated, to other organis ations to ensure a speedy response to appl icants' needs.  
 
Where an import licence is required, importers are advised to obtain such a licence prior to 
importation of the goods to avoid the possibilities of financial loss through having to return the 
goods to their suppliers in the event of failure  to obtain a licence.  
 
2  PERIOD OF VALIDITY O F IMPORT LICENCES  
Import licences are valid for a period of six months from the date of issue and are subject to 
extension in cases where such a need arises, provided that an adequate and acceptable 
explanation is  given.  
 
3  WITHDRAWAL OF LICENC ES 
Importers should note that failure on their part to comply with any provision laid down in various 
Government Notices, or with any condition endorsed on a licence at the time of issue, may result 
in the revocation of a licen ce.  Licences may also be revoked or amended by the Minister in the 
national interest.  
                                                
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.  G/LIC/N/3/MWI/5  
 
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  4  GOODS NOT REQUIRING IMPORT LICENCE  
Goods constituting well over 95 percent of all the goods imported into Malawi do not  require an 
import licence.  In this case importer s are only required to deal directly with their commercial 
banks.  However, to avoid  subsequent embarrassment importers are urged to approach the 
Ministry to clear the importation of all goods whose qualification for entry under Open General 
Licence is not  clear to them. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the speedy processing of 
applications for import permits, importers are urged to provide a full and accurate description of 
the type of goods to be imported and submit all supporting documents to the appl ication such as 
indent or order  and copy of trading licence(s) in cases where the imported goods are for sale.  
 
GOODS REQUIRING IMPORT LICENCES FROM ALL SOURCES : 
 
1. Clothing and uniforms, designed for military, naval, air force or police use.  
 
2. Radioact ive substances.  
 
3. Mist nets for the capture of wild birds.  
 
4. Wild animals, wild animal trophies and wild animal products, (including birds and reptiles) 
and any egg produced by such birds or reptiles.  
 
5. Live fish, including the eggs and spawn thereof . 
 
6. Compound products containing flour, meal residues and other preparations of any kind 
suitable only for use as animal foodstuf fs and excluding the following:  
 
 (a) Chemical additions to animal foodstuffs;  
 (b) Antibiotic growth stimulants;  
 (c) Inert fillers;  
 (d) Trace elements;  
 (e) Synthetic animal foodstuffs;  
 (f) Bird seed; and  
 (g) Cat and dog foods.  
 
7. Eggs of poultry, whether in shell, pulp or dried forms; eggs of wild birds.  
 
8. Live poultry, including day -old-chicks . 
 
9. Meat 
 
The importati on of all meats, including dressed poultry, is prohibited without prior 
permission in writing from the Minister of Industry and Trade.  The Minister has, however, 
exempted the f ollowing from import licensing:  
 
 All tinned meat ; 
 All potted meats ; 
 Meat soa ps; 
 Meat pastes ; 
 Edible meat fats ; 
 Tallow ; 
 All cooked or cured meats other than cooked pork, ham and bacon.  
 
The importation of all animals and other animal products require to be certified as free from 
disease before importation.  
 
10. Dieldrin . 
 
11. Aldrin. 
 
12. Kitchen and table salt . 
 G/LIC/N/3/MWI/5  
 
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  13.   Portland Ordinary Cement . 
 
14.    Cane Sugar .  
 
15. Agricultural products . 
 
16. Livestock products . 
PART III  
GOODS EXEMPTED FROM IMPORT LICENSING  
The following goods, unless otherwise restricted, originating in an y country, may be imported 
without the authority of an Import Licence:  
 
1. Goods in transit through Malawi.  
 
2. Used personal and household effects, imported by a person arriving in Malawi to take up 
residence or employment therein.  
 
3. Goods temporarily i mported into Malawi by a bona fide tourist for his own use.  
 
4. Goods not  exceeding a total value of K2, 000 accompanying a person entering Malawi and 
intended for private use of such person or his family.  
 
5. Any bona fide unsolicited gift not exceeding K2 ,000 in value.  
 
6. Samples and advertising materials intended solely for use in the taking of orders, and not 
for sale.  
 
7. Any goods exported from Malawi for repair and return, and in respect of which a certificate 
to that effect has been issued by an off icer of the Department of Customs and Excise.  
PART IV  
 IMPORT OF MILITARY T YPE CLOTHING  
Import licences for military type clothing of any kind will be issued only if the importer produces 
evidence that he has obtained an order from the Army or Police autho rities.  
PART V  
OTHER LEGISLATION AF FECTING IMPORTATION  
OF CERTAIN GOODS REQ UIRING IMPORT LICENC ES 
1. Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance  
 
All applications for permits for the importation of firearms, ammunition and explosives 
should be made to the Inspector  General of Police, Private Bag 305, Capital City, Lilongwe 3.  
 
2. Dangerous Drugs Ordinance  
 
The importation of certain drugs and poisons is controlled by the Ministry of Health and 
Population.  Applications should be made to the Secretary for Health and Population, 
P.O. Box 30377, Capital City, Lilongwe 3.  
 G/LIC/N/3/MWI/5  
 
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  REGULATIONS  
1. Merchandise Marks  
 
The attention of importers is drawn to the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act, which 
prohibits the importation of goods bearing forged trademarks or false trade descriptions, or 
marked with offending marks in terms of the Act.  
 
2. Weights and Measures  
 
The attention of importers is drawn to the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act and 
to the Weights and Measures (Sale of Articles ) Regulations (Govt. Notice N o.59) controlling 
the sale of certain articles in specified weights.  
 
 
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