MYVerified 2026-07-22
Malaysia - Import & Export Regulatory Guide
Malaysia's customs administration is the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD), currently migrating to the uCustoms platform. Non-tariff regulation is coordinated through MITI and STIDC; SIRIM QAS International certifies most regulated products.
Regulatory authorities
Customs entry, valuation, uCustoms/SMK filings.
Trade policy, C/O issuance, trade remedies.
Product certification, standards testing.
JAKIM
Halal certification and enforcement.
Licensing regimes
| Licence | Scope | Issuer |
|---|---|---|
| Import licence (AP) | Approved Permit regime - vehicles, iron & steel, rice. | MITI |
| SIRIM certification | Communications & multimedia (MCMC), electrical safety, LPG cylinders. | SIRIM QAS |
| Halal certification (MS 1500) | Food, cosmetics, pharma; required for retail claim. | JAKIM |
| Strategic Trade Act licence | Dual-use and military goods under STA 2010. | MITI |
Prohibited goods
- · Firearms and imitation weapons without permit.
- · Publications contravening national security.
- · Certain chemicals under Rotterdam Convention.
- · CITES-listed species and derivatives.
Restricted goods
- · Iron & steel - AP requirements + safeguard duties.
- · Sugar & rice - Bulog-equivalent controls, TRQ.
- · Strategic dual-use items under STA 2010.
- · Used vehicles - narrow AP with high excise.
Labelling requirements
- · Malay/English-language labelling for consumer products.
- · Halal logo (JAKIM) on covered products.
- · MCMC label for telecom terminal equipment.
- · Food labelling per Food Act 1983 + Regulations 1985.
Sanctions overlay
- · UNSC measures implemented via Strategic Trade Act & AMLA.
- · No autonomous secondary sanctions.
- · Bank Negara screens OFAC/EU/UN for financial-sector.
Dispute resolution
Customs objection to Director-General within 30 days; Customs Appeal Tribunal; onward High Court. AIAC (Asian International Arbitration Centre, Kuala Lumpur) is the leading institutional forum. NY Convention party since 1985.
Key official sources
Frequently asked questions
How does the Strategic Trade Act 2010 work?
STA 2010 controls export, transhipment, transit and brokering of strategic items (dual-use + military) using a list closely aligned with EU Reg 2021/821 and multilateral regimes. Malaysia's transhipment hub role means both list-based and catch-all provisions apply, with penalties up to unlimited fines and 5-year imprisonment.
Is JAKIM halal certification recognised abroad?
JAKIM halal is one of the most-recognised halal marks globally, with mutual recognition arrangements with 84+ foreign halal bodies (Indonesia's BPJPH, MUIS Singapore, GCC Accreditation, etc.). Products manufactured in JAKIM-recognised foreign plants can bear the JAKIM logo on Malaysian retail packs.
Templates & guides
Compliance templates
Essential documentation for physical trade flows with ${c.country} counterparties.
Templates
How-to guides