MALAYSIA

Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Population:  24,386,000
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.

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

    A. Chemical residue standards:

      The U.S. Agricultural Attache 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:

      None.

    B. Licenses and quotas:

      None.

    C. Currency Issues:

      None.

    D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

      None.

    E. Other trade restrictions:

      None.

VI. SUBSIDIES

None.

VII.  MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY

Northwest Cherry Growers/Washington Apple Commission:

Sharon Lim
Brandtrust Associates
Singapore
Voice/FAX: 011-65-6534-8996
E-mail:  sharon@brand-trust.com 

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: 

Private:

IX.  ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The Northwest Horticultural  Council is a member of the U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement Business Coalition.  The coalition, based in Washington, D.C., supports the successful negotiation of a comprehensive FTA with Malaysia.

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