MCCAA launches tool to help importers identify documentation issues prior to shipment

A new initiative has been launched giving importers the opportunity to have a product’s compliance documentation verified in advance, well before the goods are shipped to Malta.

The Minister for European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection Keith Azzopardi Tanti, together with the Chairperson of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) Carmen Ciantar, launched the new ImportaMT service at the Malta Freeport in Birżebbuġa.

“ImportaMT is designed to actively support the business sector by helping importers identify shortcomings in documentation prior to shipment. In this way, the risk of problems or delays arising once the goods have already reached the border, or worse still, after the product has already entered the market, is significantly reduced,” a Government statement read.

Through this digital service, importers submit one application for each product against a fee of €50, with the MCCAA reviewing the documentation against a compliance matrix covering European Union harmonisation legislation on product safety.

Within a maximum of five working days from payment – or ten working days where clarification is required – the applicant receives an official ‘verified’ or ‘not verified’ decision.

In his address, Minister Keith Azzopardi Tanti insisted on the importance of practical solutions for businesses.

“ImportaMT is an example of how a commitment can be transformed into a concrete service that makes a difference for businesses and consumers. By giving importers the opportunity to identify issues before shipping their goods, we are reducing the risk of delays and unnecessary costs, while strengthening compliance and making more efficient use of our regulatory resources,” he said.

For her part, MCCAA Chairperson Carmen Ciantar expressed her satisfaction at the implementation of this initiative. “We developed ImportaMT to be a clear, practical and transparent service. We want to provide businesses with a tool that helps them get things right from the outset, while remaining clear about the scope of the service.”

Ms Ciantar added that this service offers a modern approach that strengthens consumer protection through preventive and efficient regulation. 

This initiative was also welcomed by the President of the Malta Chamber of SMEs, Paul Abela, who praised that it will help reduce delays in releasing products from the Malta Freeport and congratulated the MCCAA on its work to bring this initiative into effect.

With regard to how the system operates, it was explained that once the documentation is verified, the decision is published at a unique online address and an official receipt containing a QR code is issued, which can be verified by Customs.

The recognition of these receipts by Customs is being developed jointly so that products accompanied by a valid receipt will not need to be referred back to the Authority for the same documentary verification. At the same time, products selected by Customs through its risk assessment procedures will continue to be reviewed by the MCCAA at no additional cost, the Government said.

Where more than one EU legislative act applies to the same product, the service uses a consolidated checklist to keep the process streamlined. The MCCAA emphasised that ImportaMT is a documentary verification service. A positive decision confirms the correctness of the documentation submitted, but does not constitute full product certification, does not exempt the goods from market surveillance, and does not represent an automatic guarantee of Customs clearance.

Importers, customs agents and freight forwarders can obtain further information about ImportaMT, as well as submit their applications, by visiting www.importa.mt.