Trading across Borders in Malaysia

This topic measures the time and cost (excluding tariffs) associated with the logistical process of exporting and importing goods. It assesses three sets of procedures –documentary compliance, border compliance and domestic transport—within the overall process of exporting or importing a shipment of goods.

The information appearing on this page was collected as part of the Doing Business subnational project in Malaysia, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small to medium-sized domestic business in cities and ports.

Click on the port name to see details:
Johor Port | Kuantan Port | Penang Port | Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur)

 

Johort Port

INDICATOR  SNAPSHOT

Trading across borders score (0–100)76.5
Time to export 
Border compliance (hours)48
Documentary compliance (hours)74
Cost to export 
Border compliance (US$)144
Documentary compliance (US$)53
Time to import  
Border compliance (hours)48
Documentary compliance (hours)120
Cost to import 
Border compliance (US$)181
Documentary compliance (US$)48

PORT DETAILS

CharacteristicsExportImport
ProductHS 15 – Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxesHS 8708 – Parts and accessories of motor vehicles
Trade partnerTurkeyChina
BorderJohor PortJohor Port
Distance (km)1010
Domestic transport time (hours)0.50.5
Domestic transport cost (US$)6767

COMPONENTS OF BORDER COMPLIANCE

ExportTime to complete (hours)Associated costs (US$)
Clearance and inspections required by customs authorities935
Clearance and inspections required by agencies other than customs00
Port handling48109
ImportTime to complete (hours)Associated costs (US$)
Clearance and inspections required by customs authorities3569
Clearance and inspections required by agencies other than customs00
Port handling48112

TRADE DOCUMENTS

ExportImport
Bill of lading Bill of lading
Certificate of origin (Form MTFTA)Catalogue of products
Commercial invoiceCertificate of origin (Form E)
Customs export declaration (Form K2)Commercial invoice
Packing list Customs import declaration (Form K1)
SOLAS certificateDelivery order
 Gate pass
 Packing list 
 SOLAS certificate

Kuantan Port

INDICATOR  SNAPSHOT
Trading across borders score (0–100)78.5
Time to export 
Border compliance (hours)57
Documentary compliance (hours)74
Cost to export 
Border compliance (US$)138
Documentary compliance (US$)53
Time to import  
Border compliance (hours)54
Documentary compliance (hours)74
Cost to import 
Border compliance (US$)136
Documentary compliance (US$)48
PORT DETAILS
CharacteristicsExportImport
ProductHS 39 – Plastics and articles thereofHS 8708 – Parts and accessories of motor vehicles
Trade partnerRepublic of KoreaThailand
BorderKuantan PortKuantan Port
Distance (km)55
Domestic transport time (hours)0.30.3
Domestic transport cost (US$)6666
COMPONENTS OF BORDER COMPLIANCE
ExportTime to complete (hours)Associated costs (US$)
Clearance and inspections required by customs authorities938
Clearance and inspections required by agencies other than customs00
Port handling48100
ImportTime to complete (hours)Associated costs (US$)
Clearance and inspections required by customs authorities938
Clearance and inspections required by agencies other than customs00
Port handling5498
TRADE DOCUMENTS
ExportImport
Bill of lading Bill of lading
Certificate of origin (Form AK)Certificate of origin (Form D)
Commercial invoiceCommercial invoice
Customs export declaration (Form K2)Customs import declaration (Form K1)
Packing list Delivery order
SOLAS certificateGate pass
 Packing list 
 SOLAS certificate

Penang Port

INDICATOR  SNAPSHOT
Trading across borders score (0–100)75.2
Time to export 
Border compliance (hours)56
Documentary compliance (hours)50
Cost to export 
Border compliance (US$)150
Documentary compliance (US$)123
Time to import  
Border compliance (hours)72
Documentary compliance (hours)98
Cost to import 
Border compliance (US$)201
Documentary compliance (US$)48
PORT DETAILS
CharacteristicsExportImport
ProductHS 85 – Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articlesHS 8708 – Parts and accessories of motor vehicles
Trade partnerUnited StatesChina
BorderPenang PortPenang Port
Distance (km)1515
Domestic transport time (hours)0.50.5
Domestic transport cost (US$)118118
COMPONENTS OF BORDER COMPLIANCE
ExportTime to complete (hours)Associated costs (US$)
Clearance and inspections required by customs authorities836
Clearance and inspections required by agencies other than customs00
Port handling48114
ImportTime to complete (hours)Associated costs (US$)
Clearance and inspections required by customs authorities3489
Clearance and inspections required by agencies other than customs00
Port handling72112
TRADE DOCUMENTS
ExportImport
Advance manifestBill of lading
Bill of lading Catalogue of products
Certificate of origin Certificate of origin (Form E)
Commercial invoiceCommercial invoice
Customs export declaration (Form K2)Customs import declaration (Form K1)
Packing list Delivery order
SOLAS certificateGate pass
 Packing list 
 Telegraphic transfer form
 SOLAS certificate


Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur)

INDICATOR  SNAPSHOT
Trading across borders score (0–100)88.5
Time to export 
Border compliance (hours)28
Documentary compliance (hours)10
Cost to export 
Border compliance (US$)213
Documentary compliance (US$)35
Time to import  
Border compliance (hours)36
Documentary compliance (hours)7
Cost to import 
Border compliance (US$)213
Documentary compliance (US$)60
PORT DETAILS
CharacteristicsExportImport
ProductHS 85 – Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articlesHS 8708 – Parts and accessories of motor vehicles
Trade partnerChinaThailand
BorderPort KlangPort Klang
Distance (km)5353
Domestic transport time (hours)45
Domestic transport cost (US$)190195
COMPONENTS OF BORDER COMPLIANCE
ExportTime to complete (hours)Associated costs (US$)
Clearance and inspections required by customs authorities547.5
Clearance and inspections required by agencies other than customs00
Port handling24165
ImportTime to complete (hours)Associated costs (US$)
Clearance and inspections required by customs authorities647.5
Clearance and inspections required by agencies other than customs00
Port handling36165
TRADE DOCUMENTS
ExportImport
Bill of lading Bill of lading
Certificate of origin (Form E)Certificate of origin (Form D)
Commercial invoiceCommercial invoice
Customs export declaration (Form K2)Customs import declaration (Form K1)
Packing list Delivery order
SOLAS certificateeGate pass
 Packing list 
 SOLAS certificate