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Exporting to Malaysia — AIFTA preference, JAKIM halal and SIRIM

Last reviewed 2026-10 · 4 sections

Malaysia is one of the more accessible ASEAN markets for Indian exporters: a real preference under the ASEAN–India agreement, English widely used in business, and a well-established halal certification ecosystem.

The preference, and the two certifications that matter

  • AIFTA. Preferential rates apply for Indian-origin goods meeting the rules of origin, claimed with a certificate of origin (Form AI). Otherwise the MFN rate applies.
  • Halal. Malaysia's halal certification authority is JAKIM, and its certification is recognised well beyond Malaysia. For products where halal status is expected — food, cosmetics, and increasingly logistics — certification is a buyer-side requirement, and sometimes a regulatory one. India has recognised certification bodies, so the route exists without going to Malaysia first.
  • SIRIM. For defined product categories — notably electrical and electronic goods — a certificate of approval from SIRIM is required before the product can be sold. It is a product approval, not a shipment form.

Food, standards and labelling

  • Malaysia maintains its own food regulations and maximum residue limits; do not assume the Codex or EU list is accepted.
  • Labelling is required in Bahasa Malaysia (English is permitted alongside), with prescribed content for many categories.
  • Standards Malaysia publishes the national standards; some are mandatory through the certification route and others are voluntary.

Tax and the regional dimension

  • Duty follows the Malaysian tariff; the AIFTA rate applies only with valid origin evidence.
  • Malaysia applies a sales and service tax regime rather than a broad goods-and-services tax. Confirm the treatment of your product at import.
  • Malaysia is also a regional distribution point, so recorded imports include goods destined for other ASEAN markets.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice, packing list, transport document, Form AI certificate of origin for a preference claim.
  • Halal certificate from a recognised body where applicable; SIRIM certificate of approval for in-scope products; health or phytosanitary certificates as required.
  • Bahasa Malaysia labelling artwork.

Use the tools

Sources & further reading

Royal Malaysian Customs JAKIM — halal certification SIRIM

These guides summarise public material from the bodies named above. They are general information, not advice on a specific shipment, and they are not a substitute for a ruling from your customs authority or a qualified customs broker / consultant.

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