How Long Does It Take to Import a Car from the UK to Malaysia? | GVE London – Blog

Globalisation has caused people from across the world to browse markets from another corner of the world; it is amazing! Think about going through the inventory of a supercar showroom like GVE London, whilst being in Malaysia. 

You might find yourself drawn to a specific vehicle, and you might wonder: How long will it take before that car is sitting in your driveway in Malaysia?

The truth is, importing a car isn’t just about shipping. It’s about choosing the right method, getting your paperwork straight, and understanding how each step affects the timeline. Let’s break it down.

Shipping Options and What to Expect

When it comes to shipping, we’ve primarily got 3 options to choose from:

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo):

This is the most straightforward way to ship. Your car is driven onto the vessel and secured on deck. It’s often the cheapest option, which is why many people use it for standard vehicles. From the UK to Port Klang, you’re usually looking at around three to five weeks at sea. The trade-off? Less protection compared to a container, which can matter if you’re moving something valuable.

Container Shipping:

This is the preferred route for luxury car export. Your car sits inside a sealed container, protected from weather and damage, and in some cases, controlled. Because containers take longer to load and unload, expect around ten weeks door-to-door. For high-end models sourced from a luxury car marketplace or car showroom like GVE London, this method provides peace of mind that RoRo simply can’t.

Air Freight:

For those who can’t wait, air freight can get your car to Malaysia in as little as three to seven days of travel time. It’s expensive, sometimes rivaling the cost of a small car, but for rare or highly valuable vehicles, it’s worth considering.

Read Also: The Legal Process of Exporting Supercars to Malaysia

The Paperwork Phase

Shipping time is only half the story; add to it the import regulations of Malaysia. 

It starts with getting an Approved Permit (AP) from Malaysia’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry. This can take anywhere from one to two weeks, assuming all documents are correct, though applications move faster when an agent handles it. 

Once the car arrives at Port Klang, it must clear customs and undergo inspection by PUSPAKOM to ensure it meets local standards, adding another week or so for this stage. If there are errors in the paperwork or port congestion, delays can stretch the timeline further.

So, How Long Does It Really Take?

When you put everything together, most people see their car within four to twelve weeks.

1. Using RoRo with quick paperwork: about four to six weeks.

2. Container shipping for premium cars: closer to ten to twelve weeks.

3. Air freight: just a few days of travel time, though clearance steps in Malaysia still add extra days.

Planning ahead makes a huge difference. If you line up your AP while your car is being prepared for shipping, you can shave days or even weeks off the process.

Conclusion

Importing a car from the UK to Malaysia requires a fair chunk of planning, and frankly, it can be a stressful experience doing it all alone. So, if you’re looking into it, give us a call at GVE London. 

As a trusted car service centre in West London, we handle everything from sourcing vehicles in the luxury car marketplace to arranging secure luxury car exports and managing paperwork; you worry about where you will take your car for a spin. Furthermore, being enthusiasts, we not only perform the usual repairs and service but can work on customisation, window tints and detailing as well. To know more, hop on a call with us today!