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Export Market

Malaysia

ISO: MY / MYS

Country Profile

Capital Kuala Lumpur
Population 34.2M
GDP $422.2B (2024)
GDP per Capita $11,874
Income Level Upper-Middle Income
Currency Malaysian ringgit (MYR RM)
Language English
Timezone UTC+08:00
Region Asia · South-Eastern Asia

Trade Partners

Malaysia Exports To

  • China 21.0%
  • Singapore 12.0%
  • USA 12.0%
  • Japan 5.0%
  • Hong Kong 5.0%

Key exports: integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, palm oil (2023)

Malaysia Imports From

  • China 24.0%
  • Singapore 11.0%
  • USA 7.0%
  • Japan 5.0%
  • Taiwan 5.0%

Key imports: integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, coal, broadcasting equipment (2023)

Economic Overview

upper middle-income Southeast Asian economy; implementing key anticorruption policies; major electronics, oil, and chemicals exporter; trade sector employs over 40% of jobs; key economic equity initiative; high labor productivity

Government: federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

UK Trade Status

No FTA

There is currently no free trade agreement between the UK and Malaysia. Standard WTO terms apply.

Trade Barriers

7 active barriers affecting UK exporters

Compliance requirements for foreign financial institutions

Financial institutions supplying financial services in Malaysia must be constituted as locally-incorporated companies under the laws of Malaysia.

Sectors: Financial and professional services

Reported: 17 Aug 2021

Recruitment of foreign workers and expatriates in Malaysia are restricted by employment rules

Employers must advertise job vacancies in MYFutureJobs for at least 30 days, effective from 1 January 2021. This affects recruitment of expatriates by UK investors and academic institutions in Malaysia and it applies to employers wishing to recruit expatriates under …

Reported: 9 Nov 2020

New tax stamps and labelling requirements for Scotch Whisky

A new tax stamp system, with enhanced tracking, tracing and security features, was implemented in early 2015. This effects UK businesses as it causes delays in the approval process and imposes additional administrative costs.

Sectors: Food and drink

Reported: 29 Jul 2019

Delays for drug approvals

Stringent drug approval requirements shortens the period patent protection applies. This approval process is overseen by Malaysia's Drug Control Authority. It can cause delays of around 12 months. Requirements include: 1. Providing raw data upfront. 2. Registration of active pharmaceutical …

Sectors: Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

Reported: 23 May 2019

Restrictions on UK re-insurance businesses

UK insurance businesses can only be considered to provide re-insurance after two national offers have been considered. Malaysia has mandatory cessions in place for re-insurance business to its national provider Malaysian Reinsurance Berhad (Malaysia Re). In addition, Bank Negara Malaysia …

Sectors: Financial and professional services

Reported: 19 Mar 2019

View all 7 barriers on GOV.UK →

Geographic Region

Asia Pacific

Trading Bloc Memberships

Malaysia is a member of the following trade agreements and economic blocs.

CPTPP Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement UK Member ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Union RCEP Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Trade Agreement

Export Guidance

Relevant guidance for exporting to Malaysia.

Start Your Export Journey

Export to the EU after Brexit Start exporting from the UK Manage your export compliance

Also in This Region

🇦🇺 Australia FTA 🇧🇳 Brunei 🇰🇭 Cambodia 🇫🇯 Fiji FTA 🇮🇩 Indonesia 🇯🇵 Japan FTA 🇱🇦 Laos 🇲🇳 Mongolia

Official Resources

Government export support for Malaysia.

great.gov.uk Market Guide → GOV.UK Country Information →
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