How to import goods in Malaysia from India ?

[Kishan Barai]

Trade Guide for Indian Exporters who can poke their friends & relatives in Malaysia to Import goods from India. 

There is really a great opportunity for Indian exporters to export goods in Malaysia  

Not all goods, whether imported or exported, require a license. To import or export goods which require a license, traders must first register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia. Once registered, a company must then apply for an import license from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Malaysia uses a privatized single digital window for all import and export regulations called Dagang Net.

The main goods requiring a license include:

• Agricultural products;
• Animals (living or dead);
• Foodstuff;
• Iron and related products;
• Heavy equipment;
• Vehicles (including motorcycles); and
• Plants.

Documents required for importing and exporting

When bringing goods into or out of Malaysia, traders must provide the following documents to customs officials.

•  Customs Export or Import Declaration;
•  Commercial Invoice;
•  Bill of Lading;
•  Packing List; and
•  Certificate of Origin

3. Tariffs and Taxes

Malaysia follows the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) for imported and exported goods not originating from members states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). For imported and exported goods arriving from ASEAN member states, Malaysia follows the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN).

Free Industrial Zones and Free Commercial Zones

Malaysia currently possesses 13 Free Industrial Zones (FIZs) and 12 Free Commercial Zones (FCZs). Companies operating out of FIZs and FCZs may import raw material, products, and equipment without paying tariffs.

Free Trade Agreements

Malaysia is a partner to seven bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) and six regional FTAs.
Malaysia has signed bilateral FTAs with:

• Australia;
• Chile;
• India;
• Japan;
• New Zealand;
• Pakistan; and
• Turkey.

Malaysia is a partner to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and a member of five regional FTAs through the ASEAN with:

•  Australia;
•  China;
•  India;
•  Japan; and
•  Korea.

In order to benefit from these FTAs, traders must provide a Preferential Certificate of Origin (PCO) along with their goods. To apply for a PCO, traders must go through Malaysia’s single window clearance, Dagang Net. Furthermore, the Malaysian government has created a “Free Trade Agreement Calculator” to help traders determine if their goods are eligible for reduced tariffs. 

4. You may like to visit the following links –

(a)  Ministry Of International Trade & Industry - http://www.miti.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/3796
(b)  Agritrade - http://agritrade.iift.ac.in/html/Training/Market%20study/Malaysia.pdf
(c)  Malaysia’s Free Trade Agreement - http://fta.miti.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/Malaysia-India?mid=44
(d)  Agri Exchange (Apeda)- http://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/countrysearchnew/Country_informations.aspx?CTRYv=10245,&CTRY=MALAYSIA%20,&rg=ASEN&rg1=ASEAN

Thank You