If your goods cross the Malaysian border, they need a customs declaration. Which form depends on one question: where are the goods coming from, and where are they going? Here are the four forms our customers ask about most.
K1: importing into Malaysia. Use a K1 when goods enter Malaysia for use here. It also covers goods moving out of a Free Trade Zone into the rest of the country. This is the form behind most shipments from Singapore or China.
K2: exporting out of Malaysia. Use a K2 when goods leave Malaysia. It also applies when goods move from the rest of the country into a Free Trade Zone. If you send goods from Johor to Singapore, you'll need one.
K8: goods passing through. A K8 covers goods moving under customs supervision without paying duty. That includes transit cargo passing through Malaysia, transhipment between ship, truck or plane, and moves between bonded warehouses or Free Trade Zones.
K9: moving goods out of a bonded or licensed warehouse. A K9 covers goods leaving a Licensed Manufacturing Warehouse (LMW) for local sale, materials going in, and part of a stock being released from bond. It must be filed before the goods move. Moving them without it is an offence under the Customs Act 1967.
Who files the form?
Only a customs agent licensed by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department can submit these declarations. But as the importer or exporter, you're still responsible for what's declared. That's why it pays to get the details right from the start.
What we'll ask you for
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Any permits or approvals your goods need (for example, SIRIM for some electronics)
- Your company registration details
- A description of the goods, so we can confirm the right HS code
Not sure which form applies?
Send us your invoice and packing list on WhatsApp and we'll tell you which declaration you need, usually within the hour.