DHL MALAYSIA FACT SHEET
OVERVIEW
Strong GDP growth since the 1970s has transformed
Malaysia’s economy from a producer of raw materials into
an export-orientated middle-income country.
Though manufacturing continues to play a large role,
Malaysia is attempting to move further up the valueadded production chain. By 2020, Malaysia aims to be
a high-income developed nation. To achieve this goal,
the government put in place a National Transformation
Programme in 2010: the country is implementing a model
of growth led by the private sector with a focus on expanding
its high technology industries, biotechnology and services
sector – especially Islamic finance products. The initiative is
considered successful thus far: the country’s GDP rose 5.6 per
cent in 2012, exceeding Asia Pacific’s average growth rate
of 3.8 per cent.
Country Profile
Capital
Kuala Lumpur
Population
29.6 million
Malaysia provides a wide range of opportunities for UK
business. After Singapore, it is the UK’s second-largest export
market in South East Asia, and the UK is one of the largest
investors in the country.
Area
329,847 sq km
Currency
1 ringgit (MYR) = 100 sen
GDP
US$ 525 billion (2013 est.)
On a visit to Malaysia in 2012, David Cameron and
Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak committed to
growing investment and doubling bilateral trade to £8 billion
by 2016. The British government aims to achieve this by
expanding trade and investment opportunities, addressing
barriers to business, implementing an EU-Malaysia Free
Trade Agreement and further working with the Malaysian
government to improve business links.
Languages
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English,
Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien,
Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu,
Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai, indigenous
languages in East Malaysia
Ethnic Groups
Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous
11%, Indian 7.1%, other 7.8%
Sources: Deloitte, GOV.UK, UKTI, CIA World Factbook
KEY
Capital City
Major City
DHL Gateway
Source: CIA World Factbook
VIETNAM
PHILIPPINES
SPARTLY
ISLANDS
THAILAND
Kudat
Kota
Kinabalu
Kota Bharu
George
Town
Kuala Terengganu
Penang Taiping
Ipoh
Lumut
Kuantan
Kuala Lumpur
M A L AY S I A
Klang
Subang
Port Dickson
Malacca Johor Bahru
SINGAPORE
INDONESIA
BRUNEI
Miri
Bintulu
Sibu
Kuching
INDONESIA
Sandakan
Lahad Datu
Tawau
DHL FACTS
Locations: 58
Gateways into the Country:4
Number of Service Centres:11
DHL Delivery Zone:8
Vehicle Fleet:133
DHL Malaysia Fact Sheet
ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATION
TRADE INFORMATION
Exports from Malaysia
Imports into Malaysia
US$ 230.7 billion (2013 est.)
US$ 192.9 billion (2013 est.)
Export commodities
Semiconductors and
electronic equipment, palm
oil, petroleum and liquefied
natural gas, wood and wood
products, palm oil, rubber,
textiles, chemicals, solar
panels.
Import commodities
Electronics, machinery,
petroleum products, plastics,
vehicles, iron and steel
products, chemicals.
Top Import Origins
China, USA, Germany, Japan,
Hong Kong.
Top Export Destinations
USA, Netherlands, China,
Australia, Germany, Hong
Kong, UK, Singapore, France,
Japan, Canada.
For an estimate of landed costs (duties, taxes
and other import fees) for shipments going to
the Malaysia, use the free DHL Express Trade
Automation Services (TAS) tool. tas.dhl.com
TAS also provides information on regulation
compliance and trade documentation.
Goods from Israel must be approved by the
Malaysian International Trade & Industry (MITI)
before shipping; there is no restriction for
document shipments from Israel.
Handling fees for controlled items may apply.
Contact DHL Customer Services for more
information.
Prohibited Items
The list below is in addition to DHL’s standard list
of prohibited items.
•Antiques
Source: DHL, CIA World Factbook
•Furs
UK to Malaysia Transit Times
The times provided for dutiable shipments are based on the time expected
for Customs in Malaysia to clear the shipment. This is contingent upon the
value of the shipment.
Kuala Lumpur
Non-Dutiable: 3 days
Dutiable: 3 days
Johore Bahru
Non-Dutiable: 3 days
Dutiable: 3 days
Bayan Lepas, Penang
Non-Dutiable: 3 days
Dutiable: 3 days
Subang
Non-Dutiable: 3 days
Dutiable: 3 days
Kota Kinabalu
Non-Dutiable: 4 days
Dutiable: 4 days
DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE 500 MYR
•Jewellery
•Precious metals & stones
•Items offensive to Muslim culture, including
publications, films & video tapes
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DHL Malaysia Fact Sheet
Restricted Items
Alcoholic beverages
Obtain import approval from Malaysia’s Ministry
of Health. Import duty and sales tax apply.
Biological Substance Catergory B, UN3373
Obtain import approval from Malaysia’s Ministry
of Health.
Blank stock airline tickets (NI), blank forms
& invoices, diaries, glass products, labels,
marble products, stationery and tea
Import tax applies.
Blueprints, booklets, catalogues, hardback
& paperback books for non-commercial
use, non-advertising brochures, magazines,
periodicals & journals, microfiche &
microfilm and pamphlets
Send as document if no commercial transaction
is involved. Send as goods if sent to publishers,
publication houses or distributors and intended
for resale in Malaysia.
Bunker oil samples for analysis,
isopropanol
Flashpoint should be above 60.5 °C. Duty free if
used only for analysis. Import and sales taxes apply.
Calendars, coal & firewood, computer
cables, contact lenses, electrical circuit
boards including integrated circuits
and integrated circuit boards, fire
extinguishers, fotolithos, leather goods
(excluding handbags & other leather bags),
negatives including x-rays & films, plasticmade products including audio cassettes,
playing cards, rubber made products,
shoes, slides, typewriter ribbons,
wallpaper and works of art
Import and sales taxes apply.
Coffee and coffee samples, cotton and
cotton seed, drugs: prescription, foodstuffs
including perishables, plants & plant
products, seeds including grain samples,
soil samples and stone / mineral samples
for analysis
Obtain import approval from Malaysia’s
Department of Agriculture and/or Ministry
of Health.
Cologne & perfume, drugs:
non-prescription, cosmetics and
medical samples
Obtain import approval from Malaysia’s
Department of Pharmaceutical Services and/or
Ministry of Health. Import tax may apply.
Communications & telecommunications
equipment, mobile phones, mobile phone
accessories & components
Receiver to obtain approved permit from the
Standard Industry Research Institute of Malaysia
(SIRIM) before the shipment arrives; failure to
comply is an offence. Import and sales taxes
apply.
Compact discs including video and other
CDs (excluding CD ROMs), costume
jewellery, electronic equipment & games,
handbags & other leather bags, integrated
circuits and measuring apparatuses
Sales tax applies.
Fabrics & fabric samples, textile articles,
including swatches
Duty free if quantities are small, i.e. strictly
samples – otherwise, import and sales taxes
apply. Identify fabric type (knit, woven,
crocheted, etc.).
CD ROMs for computer use, circuits &
circuit boards for use in PCs, computer
components & parts, computer software
& tapes, eye glasses, medical / dental
supplies & equipment and non-hazardous
liquids
Duty free.
Films: 8mm, 16mm & 35mm, entertainment,
promotional & training and laser discs
Obtain approval from Malaysia’s National
Film Development Corporation (FINAS); this is
subject to screening by the Board of Censors.
Receiver may be exempt if approval is obtained
from the Ministry of Information. Import and
sales taxes apply.
Ceramic products, machine & electronic
parts, toys and yarn
Import taxes, sales taxes and duties apply.
Industrial equipment
Duties contingent on utility of equipment/parts.
Military equipment
Receiver to obtain import approval from
Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence and/or the
Royal Malaysian Police.
Modems
Obtain permit from Telekom Malaysia.
Newspapers
If shipped for personal purposes: send as
documents. Commercial shipments must be
sent as goods and are subject to screening
by Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
Non-hazardous chemicals, oil products,
substances containing sodium or
calcium cyclamate
Obtain import approval from Malaysia’s
Department of Chemistry. Import and
sales taxes apply.
Personal effects
Receiver to provide detailed Commercial Invoice
and copy of receiver’s passport.
Publications for public resale
Commercial shipments are subject to screening
by Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs
(Publication Division).
Sports equipment
Import taxes and duties apply.
Tapes: video cassettes
Obtain approval from National Film Authority;
subject to censor screening. Receiver may
be exempt from taxes given approval
from Malaysia’s Ministry of Information,
Communication and Culture. Blank
unrecorded tapes: sales tax applies. Recorded
entertainment, promotional or training tapes:
import and sales taxes apply.
Televisions and television equipment
Obtain approval from Malaysia’s National
Electricity Board. Import and sales taxes apply.
Tobacco
Obtain approval from Malaysia’s Ministry of
Agriculture. Import and sales taxes apply.
For clocks & watches, ship spares and
x-ray machines please contact DHL Customer
Services before shipping.
For more information
If you need support or advice on trading with Malaysia, help is available.
Contact the DHL Express team on 0844 248 0675
DHL Customer Services is also available on 0844 248 0844
Contact your local Chambers of Commerce www.britishchambers.org.uk
Contact your local UKTI www.ukti.gov.uk
Visit www.dhlguide.co.uk for international trade information and to read our blog
Follow us on Twitter @dhlexpressuk to keep up to date with all the latest
developments in international trade
Valid from: 06/2014
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