If you still have questions after reviewing our answers to frequently asked questions, contact us at
1800 88 7280 or email us at هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته.

1. How do I become an exporter ?
2. What can I export ?
3. Do I need a licence to export ?
4. Where do I get the approval to export ?
5. How do I look for an overseas buyer, distributor or agent for my product ?
6. How do I price my products for the export market ?
7. What are export standards ?
8. What is HS code ?
9. Where do I check for import duties of other countries ?
10. Are there any incentives for exporters ?
11. What is a Certificate of Origin ?
12. How do I obtain a CE Mark ?
13. Where can I obtain information on overseas markets ?

1. How do I become an exporter ?

To become an exporter, you must first identify a product or service that you are knowledgeable about and capable of producing and marketing. Initially the product should be sold in the domestic market in order to test the product or service. After that, the company can venture into the export business by identifying the potential market for such product or service. Here the company needs to conduct market research to determine which market to start exporting to and what are the regulations governing the import of this product / service into the countries identified. Companies can use MATRADE Business Library to do the market research and also contact MATRADE overseas Trade Commissioners for assistance.

2. What can I export ?

Most goods/ services can be freely exported to any country except Israel. These range from food products to electrical and electronic items, chemicals, textile and clothing, wood and wood products, rubber products, plastic products, machinery, toys and stationery.

3. Do I need a licence to export ?

Although most goods are freely exported, there are certain goods that can only be exported with approval from the relevant government agencies while others can only be exported in a certain manner. The Malaysian Trade Classification and Customs Duties Order which contains the list of products subject to export licensing/approval is available in the MATRADE Business Library for reference. You may also visit the Royal Customs Department homepage at www.customs.gov.my for more information.

4. Where do I get the approval to export ?

You do not need an approval to export except for items that require an export licence /approval as listed in The Malaysian Trade Classification and Customs Duties Order. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) approves export permits for selected items. For details you can visit the MITI homepage at www.miti.gov.my.

5. How do I look for an overseas buyer, distributor or agent for my product ?

There are several ways companies can source for such contacts :- 

• Through MATRADE Leads, a weekly electronic update on export opportunities which is circulated to all companies registered with MATRADE that are interested in exporting.
• Through participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions both locally and overseas.
• During business meetings organised by MATRADE during trade missions and specialised marketing missions overseas as well as at incoming buying missions.
• MATRADE's Business Library has access to the online Foreign Importers Database. The database has a listing of importers that have contacted MATRADE to source for Malaysian products and services. The Library also has Importers Directories for various countries. Companies can identify suitable buyers from these sources and contact the buyers directly.
• Through MATRADE Overseas Trade Commissioners for list of foreign importers for any product/service.

6. How do I price my products for the export market ?

When pricing products for the export market various factors have to be considered. Apart from the cost of production, the other cost that must be taken into consideration are the cost of packaging, labelling and marking the product , product certification, domestic and overseas transportation, insurance, import duties and other charges. It is also important to determine which segment of the market the product is for and what are the prices of similar products being sold in the market.

7. What are export standards ?

Countries normally impose standards on products that are imported. Companies have to meet these requirements in order to export their products to these countries. Example of export standards are CE Marking, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and "EUREPGA Fruits and Vegetable".

8. What is HS code ?

Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, commonly known as HS codes is used to classify goods for exporting/ importing purposes. This classification is done for free by Malaysia Royal Customs Department and its branch offices. The application form can be downloaded from www.customs.gov.my

9. Where do I check for import duties of other countries ?

The Customs Tariff Books for selected countries are available at MATRADE Business Library. This information can also be sourced from MATRADE's overseas offices.

10. Are there any incentives for exporters ?

There are various tax and non-tax incentives available for exporters. These include the double tax deduction schemes, tax exemptions, duty exemption, export credits and bilateral payment arrangements. For details, companies can refer to MATRADE Business Handbook on "Assistance Programmes for Malaysian Exporters" available at MATRADE Business Library.

11. What is a Certificate of Origin ?

Certificate of Origin is to certify that the product is produced in Malaysia. This certificate can be obtained from the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and The Malaysian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Malaysia (MCCIM). For details companies can check the website www.fmm.org.my and www.mccim.org.my

12. How do I obtain a CE Mark ?

The CE Mark is a mark of safety to indicate that the product conforms to the European safety standards. Any product that comes under New Approach Directives of the European Union (EU) and is going to be placed on the EU market has to bear the CE-marking. "CE" stands for European Conformity. It is issued by any EU appointed testing and certifying body. In Malaysia companies can contact TUV NORD (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, at هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته. , SGS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd at هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته. or Bureau Veritas (M) Sdn Bhd at هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته. for advice on whether their products need a CE Mark and for certification. Information and publications about CE marking is available at www.euroconform.com and "CE-Marking , A Product Passport to Enter the EU" book which is published by MATRADE.

13. Where can I obtain information on overseas markets ?

Information on overseas markets can be obtained from various sources. For a start, companies can check with the MATRADE Business Library for reference materials. The MATRADE overseas network of office can also assist in sourcing for market information. MATRADE members also receive market updates through Trade Mart, the bi-monthly MATRADE publication for Malaysian exporters.