Motor Vehicle Clearance

The Malawi Police Service has access to an International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) database of stolen motor vehicles and uses the same to clear motor vehicles as follows:

Imported Motor Vehicles
INTERPOL clears as not stolen, motor vehicles being imported into the country before registration. The clearance process is as follows:

  • Presentation of the motor vehicle documentation:
    • Invoices
    • Bill of lading (if imported from overseas countries)
    • Malawi Revenue Authority documents
  • Presentation of the motor vehicle for physical checking

Vehicles being imported into the country from within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region are cleared as follows:

  • Presentation of the motor vehicle documentation:
    • Invoices
    • Registration certificate
    • Malawi Revenue Authority documents
    • Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organization (SARPCCO) Export Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate (this is issued at INTERPOL office of every country)
  • Presentation of the motor vehicle for physical checking

Vehicles Visiting Other Countries
Owner of a motor vehicle which is going to travel (or has been authorized to be used by someone to travel) outside the country is required to get a Cross Border Motor Vehicle Clearance before traveling. The clearance process is as follows:

  • Presentation of the motor vehicle documentation:
    • Copy of Registration Certificate
    • Letter authorizing the one driving the motor vehicle to cross boarders
    • Copy of passport/driving license for the one driving the motor vehicle
    • National ID for residents
  • Presentation of the motor vehicle for physical checking

Vehicles Being Exported out of the Country
The requirement for motor vehicles being exported to countries within SADC is as follows:

  • Acquire a SARPCCO Export Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate
  • Deregister the motor vehicle

Motor Vehicle Checking
The Malawi Police Service also assists prospective buyers of already registered motor vehicles to verify whether the motor vehicles they intend to purchase are not reported as stolen. The process is as follows:

  • Presentation of a copy of the Registration Certificate (Blue Book)
  • Presentation of the motor vehicle for physical checking

Note: These services can be acquired at the National Police Headquarters and all Regional Police Headquarters