Key Regulations for Exporting Supercars to Malaysia | GVE London – Blog

You might be unaware of this, but the car culture in Malaysia is absolutely massive and deeply ingrained within their society. They worship their vehicles and can often be found modifying and customising them to give their vehicles a personal touch, making it their own; adding character. So, it should come as no surprise that they delight at the sight of a supercar or a luxury car, often exported from the UK or the US. Alas, the process of exporting cars from the UK to Malaysia isn’t the simplest, thanks to the strict import regulations of Malaysia. One mistake and you’ll be fined or have a vehicle that’s stuck in customs.

To avoid that uncomfortable situation, here’s what you need to know to make sure the entire process goes smoothly.

Taxes and Import Duties

Malaysia is by no means lenient when it comes to taxes on imported vehicles, and they’re going to charge you extra for luxury models and high-end cars. To put things into perspective:

• Expect to pay around 10% to 30% import duty, depending upon your car’s engine capacity.
• Excise Duty is the big one here. It depends upon the engine’s size as well.
• For engines bigger than 2500cc, get ready to shell out 105% of the value of your car, and for those below 1800cc, that number is going to be 75%.
• Add to that a flat 10% sales tax on the vehicle’s total cost.
• We also have the newly introduced High-Value Goods Tax (HVGT), which adds another 5-10% tax on luxury cars valued over RM200,000 (Malaysian currency).

So, this naturally increases the cost of a supercar by quite a large amount. It is best to make the buyer aware of these costs beforehand, so there are no surprises later on.

Read Also: Shipping Cars Overseas from the UK: Costs and Options Explained

Approved Permits (AP)

You can’t just import a supercar into Malaysia like a T-shirt; you’re going to need an Approved Permit, which is issued by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). This permit is mandatory and ensures that all imported cars meet Malaysian regulations.

You see, Malaysia has strict rules on vehicle safety and environmental impact. The cars allowed in the country, supercar or not, must meet emissions standards. If they don’t, get ready to make some modifications to get clearance. Otherwise, if your vehicle doesn’t meet these standards, it will be refused entry.

Documentation Requirements

Now, everybody’s favourite task—the procurement of paperwork. Your supercar, before it is allowed in Malaysia, needs the following documents:

• Bill of Lading: Proof of shipment.
• Commercial Invoice: Details the car’s value and specifications.
• Certificate of Origin: Confirms the car was manufactured in the UK.
• Export Declaration: Submitted to UK customs.
• JPJ Approval Letter: Required for vehicle registration in Malaysia.

Missing or incorrect documents will only result in delays, so ensure you get it right the very first time.

Shipping and Logistics

Now, let’s talk about actually getting your supercar from the UK to Malaysia. It requires careful planning and thorough consideration. Most exporters prefer container shipping as it protects your vehicle from the elements. However, roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping is another option, but as a trade showroom that often deals with luxury car exports, like GVE London would not recommend it for high-end vehicles.

To make things easier, work with a reputable shipping company or have a supercar showroom like GVE London deal with it. Also, definitely get insurance for vehicles in transit. Accidents hardly come announced.

Conclusion

Exporting cars from the UK to Malaysia is a complex process, undeniably, but it is possible with enough planning and by meeting the strict local regulations. You could always work with a supercar showroom like ours to make the process easier.

Here at GVE London, we specialise in working with high-end vehicles and know how to bypass the complications of luxury car exports. Furthermore, being enthusiasts, we not only perform the usual repairs and service but can work on customisation, modifications and detailing as well. To know more, hop on a call with us today!