📄 Documents and customs for shipping at Malaysia
Malaysia is outside the EU: all consignments pass through the RMCD (Royal Malaysian Customs Department). Required documents:
- commercial invoice or proforma in English
- detailed description of the goods (NO “gift”)
- free export declaration
- EORI for corporate shipments
- sender's identity document
Duties and the Malaysian SST
Malaysia applies the Sales and Service Tax (SST): 10% on imported goods (standard rate), with certain categories subject to 5% or exempt. The de minimis threshold for e-commerce imports is MYR 500 (approximately €100) — below this threshold, personal consignments are exempt from SST.
📋 What is the TARIC code and how to find it
💡 Shipping TipsComfortable: Always state the type of product, quantity, actual value and country of origin. Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country: pork-based products require specific labelling and may be subject to additional checks. Always check the ingredients of food products before posting them.
🚫 Avoid general descriptions:
✅ Use precise descriptions:
- “Men’s cotton T-shirts – 2 pieces – value €40 – Made in Italy”
- “Leather shoes – 1 pair – value €100 – Made in Italy”
- “Paper documents without commercial value”
🚫 Prohibited or restricted products:
- Narcotics (death penalty for trafficking — zero tolerance)
- Weapons, ammunition and explosives
- Pornographic material
- Products contrary to Islamic morality
- Plants and agricultural products without phytosanitary certification
🍷 Wine and spirits: Permitted for personal use in limited quantities. Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country but not a prohibitionist one: alcohol is sold in shops and bars outside predominantly Malay areas. Very high duties on alcohol (200%+).
🍝 Packaged foods: generally permitted for personal use. Pork-based products require specific labelling and may be subject to additional checks.