How to ship to Malaysia

What are some of the topics you are debating right now in terms of delivery or shipping to Malaysia? How much paperwork is there? Customs? Fees?

These are some of the information you should take note of if you are unsure how delivery to Malaysia works, be it cargo Malaysia or having the parcel to their doorstep.

1.         Choosing the Right Shipping Company

2.         How your merchandise should be packaged

3.         Calculating the cost of delivery to Malaysia

4.         Providing information about the shipment

5.         Printing and attaching shipping labels and papers to your shipment

Choosing the Right Shipping Company

Having the right delivery or shipping partner can make your whole experience a different level.

If you are delivering from Singapore, the cost may be lower since both countries are located nearby. Delivering to remote areas in Malaysia may cost more. Unless you are delivering from Europe or the US, sea transport is considered to be the most cost-effective form of delivery for larger commodities or items with no deadline for arrival.

Consumables are best delivered by air but at a high cost. “Hidden charges” such as insurance fees might be added to the total transportation cost.

Mode of transport

Air

Express shipping refers to items that are transported through air transport since the shipment pace is faster, the products are delivered sooner, and the procedure is somewhat more expensive. You may anticipate your items to arrive in 1 to 2 days if you choose air transport.

Land

Shipping by land is a form of transportation that is less expensive than the others. However, the items may take longer to arrive at their final destination. Trains are another mode of land transportation to get your parcel to Malaysia.

Sea

Delivering by sea usually has comparatively greater amounts of commodities using cargo ships, in which goods are packaged into containers, which are then loaded into a vessel. Almost everything may be sent by water, however, it is not advisable to send goods by sea to Malaysia or anywhere else if you need your product delivered quickly.

Air	Land	Sea
Cheap Good for bulk goods Extensive	Fast delivery Best for consumables Suitable for all sorts of items	Cheap Suitable for all sorts of items

Tracking your shipments

The company and you should be able to track the parcel to monitor it closely in case any circumstances were to arise, the company can quickly rectify the parcel’s location. 

How your merchandise should be packaged

In cross-border shipment, properly wrapping your items using the appropriate packing materials is critical. Additional packaging materials, such as bubble wrap can assist to prevent your items from bouncing about within the package during cross-border transportation to Malaysia.

I am sure you would not want your goods getting damaged before it even arrives at your receiver’s doorstep. Proper packaging protects your items from harm and might save you money on replacement costs.

Here are some steps you can take before setting a course on your delivery

Packaging

• Always begin cushioning with at least three to five centimeters (cm) of cushioning material from the bottom up. Depending on the products you are transporting, you can use bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or foam pads. Bubble wraps would be the most common and they can easily be found in your local stationery shop.

• Be sure to cover all air pockets especially for fragile items such as glass and if you are transporting costly or large products to avoid damage during shipment.

• If you are packing many goods into one large box, it is best to wrap and cushion each one separately to avoid damage during shipment. Before putting fragile or easily scratched things in a large package, consider utilizing smaller boxes and choose a size that is somewhat larger than your items to allow protective wrapping. This will reduce excessive movement during delivery.

Precautions

• Temperatures may reach at least 40 Degrees Celcius during shipping, so keep that in mind while packing and sealing your products.

• Shake your boxes before sealing them as a precaution. If you see any pieces shifting or colliding, apply extra cushioning material until everything is secure. If you see any pieces shifting or colliding, apply extra cushioning material until everything is secure.

Documents

• It is important to place extra copies of shipping labels inside the box before closing it as an extra precaution. You can do that by sticking a “Fragile” or “Handle with Care” note.  Also, make sure that the destination addresses are clearly and plainly displayed on the boxes.

• You may face criminal charges if you send dangerous or banned items. As the sender, always remember to view the restricted products list if you are not sure if your item is prohibited.

Providing information about the shipment

Prior to clearing items for import, Malaysian customs require significant paperwork. Most carriers use local customs brokers who are familiar with the regular processes and needed documentation format.

They include:

• Invoices, both commercial and pro forma
• List of items to bring

You will need the following if you are exporting without a logistical partner who can clear customs on your behalf:

• Bill of lading or airway bill
• Policy of insurance
• Payment of import duty and import-related taxes is received.
• Permits, licenses, and certifications that are relevant

If the value of your cargo to Malaysia is less than MYR500, you will not be charged customs and taxes. Import duty rates in Malaysia can range from zero percent to fifty percent. The average duty rate is about 6% in many situations. Electronic devices such as laptops, for example, are duty-free. You should also confirm the number of advance costs with the carrier.

Delivery to Malaysia is categorized into two purposes:

• Household Items
• Personal Items

All imported products are subjected to the Sales and Service Tax (SST). In Malaysia, the standard VAT rate on imports is 10% of the total CIF value, duty, and any exercise that applies. There are also certain items that are taxed by units, such as per liter or per kilogram. Furthermore, certain products may be subject to a reduced VAT rate of 0% to 5%.

Printing and attaching shipping labels and papers to your shipment

Before delivering to Malaysia, you have to include some information which you might have already done many types of if you often mail items around.

As mentioned above on how you can place labels on your package, you will also need to:

• Your details and address
• Receiver’s details and address
• Description of item
• Weight and quantity

Always double-check that the information you have submitted is correct. Incomplete documentation might cause your products to become stuck in customs. If the shipping provider returns the items to you, you may incur additional shipping expenses.

If customs clearing agents accuse you of under-declaring the number of your goods on the business invoice, you might face fines.

Cost of delivering

The cost of delivering varies as delivery from Malaysia may be high depending on your location. Delivery companies who deliver the last mile service do not usually show their quotes and prices but many provide conversion of prices on their websites.

Simply key in their website and they will show you where you wish to deliver your goods to and it will automatically convert an estimated price.

Though transportation to Malaysia might be costly, did you know that during peak season in the United States, a 40′ container can cost up to $3,800 to deliver from Malaysia? Within Malaysia, shipping and delivery fees range from RM1.50 to RM7.00.

Although all of the steps involved in cross-border delivery to Malaysia look to be complex, having the right shipping partners may make things a lot easier.

If you deal with trustworthy and capable shipping partners at every step or even a single partner who can handle everything, you will be well on your way to easy delivery to Malaysia.

Depending on where your country is located, small products delivery to Malaysia is easy. UPS, DHL, and FedEx are well-known firms that can transport your products all across the world.