MALAYSIA

Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Population:  25,716,000
Currency: Ringgit
Official Language(s): Bahasa Malaysia

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLS)

Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.

Apple MRLs in Top Markets - December 20, 2011

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

    A. Chemical residue standards:

      The U.S. Agricultural Attaché in Malaysia has provided the following information regarding the absence of an MRL for many commonly used chemicals:

      "Strictly speaking, if a chemical is not listed, it is NOT PERMITTED for use in Malaysia. However, in practice, the absence of a chemical from the approved list may only mean that the Ministry of Health has not yet established a local standard.

      Generally, if the chemical does not appear on the approved list at all and there is an established Codex standard, this usually means that Malaysia has simply not established any MRL for the chemical. In this event, they usually will accept Codex or even U.S. standards upon request/review. . . The obvious exception would be if the U.S. standard is even more stringent (than the Codex standard)."

    B. Monitoring chemical residues:

      The Ministry of Health is now conducting stringent checks on chemical residues on a number of food products, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, entering the country. Under the Food Regulations 1985, there is a schedule (Regulation 41) listing permissible levels of pesticide residues on specified food items.

    C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

      None.

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

No information

IV. TARIFFS

    The import duty on apples, pears and cherries is 5% ad valorem.  In addition to the duty, there is a 5% sales tax on fresh fruit imports.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

A. Labeling requirements:

Malaysia’s Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) has agreed to a period of “soft enforcement” of its 3P regulations (Grading, Packaging and Labeling of Agricultural Produce).  During this soft enforcement period, ending on September 30, 2011, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MaQIS) will issue warning letters for U.S. shipments that do not have proper 3P labeling.  No fines will be imposed on importers during this period; however, violations will be recorded. 

Effective October 1st, importers that violate the 3P regulations will receive more attention from MaQIS and may be fined for violations. 

FAMA 3P requires that each carton must be labeled (a sticker may be affixed to the carton) in the national language, Bahasa Malaysia, with the following information:

  1. Name and business address of the importer, exporter, agent, producer or distributor, as the case may be, of the agricultural produce.

  2. Common name (e.g., “apples” or “pears”)

  3. Grade.

  4. Size.

  5. Country of origin

  6. Weight

The labeling information must be contained in an area not less than 11 centimeters by 7 centimeters in no smaller than 20 point lettering.

Following FAMA’s May 2011 visit to Washington and California, FAMA agreed to the following:

To accept U.S. Global Trade Identification Number (G10) or equivalent label size (4 inch x 3 inch or 10cm x 8cm)

For U.S. exporters who are unable to print the name and address of the importer on the label prior to their shipments departing the United States, FAMA has provided them another option:  FAMA will accept the importer name and address information through its online system.  However, the online system for uploading bill of lading documentation will be operational only on October 15, 2011.  From July 1, 2011 through October 14, 2011, printed bill of lading will be accepted as valid documentation.  Note that these U.S. exporters still need to affix a label in native Bahasa Malaysia language for other required information on each carton before the shipments depart from the United States.

FAMA has agreed to accept either U.S. Government or Washington state grade standards for apples, pears and cherries.  This information, such as U.S. Extra Fancy, U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, must be indicated on the label but it does not need to be translated to native Bahasa Malaysia language.

Example of a label in native Bahasa Malaysia:

  • Nama pengimport:  Name of the Importer

  • Alamat:  Address of the Importer

  • Nama Pengeksport:  Name of the Exporter

  • Alamat:  Address of the Exporter

  • Nama biasa:  Common name (Anggur for table grapes)

  • Gred Standard:  Standard grade (U.S. Extra Fancy)

  • Saiz:  Size (fruit count e.g., 113, 138)

  • Negara asal:  Country of Origin (Amerika Syarikat for USA)

  • Berat:  Weight

    B. Licenses and quotas:

      None.

    C. Currency Issues:

      None.

    D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

      None.

    E. Solid Wood Packing Material Regulations:

VI. SUBSIDIES

None.

VII.  MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY

Washington Apple Commission:

Eddie Saw
Total Market Solutions
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Voice:   011 603 8070 7216
E-mail:  eddie.saw@totalms.com.my

Northwest Cherry Growers/Washington State Fruit Commission: 

Phornthip Poolprasert
PT & Tatch Ltd.
Voice:   011-66-2-970-8207
Fax:      011-66-2-970-8208
E-mail:  pt@tatch.in.th  

Pear Bureau Northwest:

Richard Lieu
Lieu Marketing Assoc Pte Ltd
SINGAPORE
Voice:   011-65-6515 6113
Fax:      011-65-6278 4372
E-mail:  lieumktg@singnet.com.sg 

VIII.  OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental: 

IX.  ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Special thanks to
FAS Field Office - Malaysia 

105 South 18th Street, Suite 105
Yakima, Washington 98901, USA
Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615

E-mail general@nwhort.org