PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED ITEMS
Here is a guide to goods that cannot be exported from the US or cannot be imported to your country
Please be aware that laws vary by country. Note that this list is not comprehensive and the restrictions are always changing. We will do our best to keep you informed by updating this page as we receive notices from the couriers, shipping lines and governments. Ultimately, you are responsible for ensuring that the items you purchase comply with all governments and carriers restrictions.
Country: Malaysia
Prohibited items
The following goods are absolutely prohibited from importation to Malaysia or exported from the US
Agricultural
Items frown on farms or items used when cultivating soil such as planting, raising, and harvesting plants, crops, fruits and vegetables. These are examples of items that cannot be shipped:
- Seeds
- Corn
- Hay
- Soil
- Soybeans
- Grain
- Feed
Malaysia prohibits importing these items from the Philippines and Indonesia:
- Cocoa pods
- Rambutans
- Pulasan
- Longan
- Nam nam fruits
Animals
Animals or parts of animals are definitely cannot be shipped. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Live animals
- Dead animals
- Animal parts
- Animal tissue
- Animal furs
- Animal skin
- Live fish
- Fungi
Malaysia prohibits importing these items:
- All genera of Piranha fish
- Turtle eggs
Biohazards
Biological substances that may contain contagious or other hazardous substances. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Cell cultures
- Lab reagents
- Bodily fluids
- Medical specimens
- Tissue samples
- Tear gas
- Human remains
Chemicals
Raw chemicals but also some adhesives, pastes, sealants, cosmetics like peroxide, precursors for chemical weapons etc. Please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer to determine if the item can ship. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Adhesives
- Dry ice
- Sealants
- Precursors to chemical weapons
- Peroxide
- Crazy glue adhesive
- Disinfectants
Malaysia prohibits importing sodium arsenate.
Corrosive
Acids or bases that can react and cause corroding. Please refer to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer to determine if the item is corrosive or not. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Sulfuric acid
- Hydrochloric acid
- Some cleaners
- Lye
- Cosmetic derma-peel
- Battery fluid
- Iodine
- Dyes
Counterfeit
Items that are not produced by the original manufacturer in violation of copyright/trademark laws. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Pirated goods
- Knock-offs
- Imitation products
Drug Contraband
Drug-related items restricted or banned by US law. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Narcotics
- Illegal drugs
- Drug paraphernalia
- Drug devices
- Marijuana
ECCN Regulated
Items requiring and ECCN (Export Control Classification Number). Items requiring an export license from the Department of Commerce, and dual-use items found on the Commerce Control List (CCL). Often relating to navigation and avionics, computer parts, telecommunication devices etc. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Large microprocessors
- Aircraft parts
- Aerospace parts
- Antennas
Malaysia prohibits importing broadcast receivers capable of receiving radio communication within the ranges (68 – 87) MHz and (108 – 174) MHz.
Explosives
Items that susceptible to explosion or combustion. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Class 1 dangerous goods
- Flares
- Gun powder
- Matches
- Fireworks
- Flashbangs
- Smoke grenades
- Ammunition or cartridges
- Detonators
- Fuses
- Primers
- Airbag inflators
Fertilizers & Pesticides
Chemical or organic products designed for use as fertilizer or pesticides. Please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer to determine if the product can be shipped. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Fertilizers
- Fungicides
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- Rodenticides
- Sodium nitrates
- Ammonium sulphate
- Organic nitrogenous fertilizers
Firearms & Airsoft
Items related to guns or other devices designed to inflect damage by launching one or more projectiles at a high speed. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Air guns
- Ammunition
- Gunpowder
- Paintball guns & balls
- Magazines
- Scopes/sights
- Stun guns
- Tasers
- Gun parts
- Replica firearms
- Firearm related products
- Gunsmithing equipment
- Reloading devices
- Imitation firearms
Flammable/Combustible
Items are capable of being easily ignited and of burning quickly. Please refer to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer to determine if the product is indeed flammable or combustible. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Fuel
- Matches
- Lighters
- Cellulose nitrate film
- Resins
Gambling
Devices used in gambling or game of chance activities. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Gambling devices
- Poker chips
- Slot machines
- Roulette wheels
- Tokens
Hazardous Material
Any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological, and/or physical), which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment. Any item classed as Dangerous Goods as well. Please refer to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer to determine if the product can be shipped. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Fire extinguishers
- Antifreeze
- Chemical strippers
- Chlorine bleach
- Drain cleaners
- Anything regulated by DOT as hazardous
Indecent Media
Malaysia prohibits importing indecent printings, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographic, engravings, films, video tapes, laser discs, color slides, computer disc and any other media. In addition, you are prohibited to import cloth bearing the imprint or duplicate of any verses of the Quran.
Ivory
A hard creamy-white substance composing the main part of the tusks of an elephant, walrus, or narwhal, often (especially formerly) used to make ornaments and other articles. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Powdered ivory
- Jewelry
- Statues
- Boxes
- Raw ivory
Loose Lithium Batteries
Lithium ion, lithium polymer, lithium metal batteries and lithium power banks not installed in devices are prohibited to ship. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Lithium batteries not packed with equipment
- Lithium power banks
- Loose or spare lithium batteries
- Lithium coin cell batteries
- Battery packs
Means of Payment
Items used as currency or for payment and also reproduction of any any currency note, bank note, or coin which are currently been issued in any country. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Currency
- Coins
- Gold bullion
- Money instruments
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Stamps
- Blank checks
- Gamblling devices
- Lottery tickets
- Tokens
- Bonds
Perishable Food
Food and foodstuffs with a limited shelf life or requiring refrigeration/freezing to avoid spoilage. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Meat
- Sausage
- Caviar
Plants
Live plant such as a young tree, vine, shrub, or herb planted or suitable for planting. Dead or dried plants as well. These are examples of items that cannot be shipped:
- Flowers
- Seeds
- Soil
- Roots
- Grass
- Hay
- Logs
- Pine cones
- Fungus
- Raw wood or lumber
Poison
A substance that is capable of causing illness or death of a living organism when introduced or absorbed. Malaysia prohibits importing all poisonous chemicals. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Class 6.1 and 6.2 items
- Nicotine
- Rat poison
- Toxic materials
Political
Printed, audio or visual material relating to the government or the public affairs of a country. Malaysia prohibits any media or device which intended to be prejudicial to the interest of Malaysia or unsuited with peace. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Books
- Pamphlets
- Audio recordings
- Video recordings
Pornography
Printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Books
- Magazines
- Videos
- Pictures
Prescription Drugs
A pharmaceutical drug that legally requires a medical prescription from a doctor to be dispensed. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Prescription drugs
- Viagra
- Steroids
Pressurized Canisters
Products packaged in containers using pressurized gas. Please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer to determine if the product can be shipped. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Fire extinguishers
- Compressed gas
- Gas cartridges
- Helim
- Propane
- Car shock absorbers
Radioactive Material
Items emitting or relating to the emission of ionizing radiation or particle. Items will be marked with a radioactive placard. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Radioactive material
- Medical isotopes
- Density gauges
Malaysia prohibits importing lightning arresters containing radioactive material.
Soil
Soil or soil enhancing products. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Dirt
- Mud
- Peat
- Sand
- Clay
Tactical Equipment
Military or law enforcement equipment and weaponry. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Body armor
- Gas masks
- Handcuffs
- Lock pickers
- Night-vision or infrared goggles.
- Rifle scopes
- Military or law enforcement items
- Thermal imaging
- Kevlar
- Any items regulated by CBP, ITAR or the US Departments of Commerce, State or Treasury.
Tactical Knives
Knives that are intended for use as a weapon. Malaysia prohibits importing daggers and flick knives. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Butterfly knives
- Switchblades
- Concealable blades
- Daggers
- Push knives
- Ballistic knives
- Bayonets
- Stabbing weapons
- Bayo knife
Tobacco & Nicotine
Any product prepared from the leaves of the tobacco plant by curing them. Nicotine in any form. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Tobacco
- Nicotine products
- Cigars & cigarettes
- Chewing tobacco
- Tobacco wrapping papers
- Nicotine patches
- Liquid nicotine
Weapons
A weapon, arm, or armament is any devices used with intent to inflict damage or harm to living creatures, structures, or systems. These are example of items that cannot be shipped:
- Crossbows
- Clubs
- Pepper spray
- Firearms & firearm parts
- Knives & stabbing weapons
- Tasers
- Billy clubs
Restricted items
The importations of goods specified below have reduced shipping options on quantity or specific type of item and may require special documentation or have extra fees associated with them. Some of them are prohibited except under an import license or permit from relevant authorities.
Aerosols
Consumer spray items. These are example of items that may not be shipped:
- Deodorant
- Shaving cream
- Hairspray
Art & Antiquities
Work of art, collectible objects, antiques of high value or considerable of age and they have limited to a value no greater than USD5,000. Here are some examples:
- Artwork & collectibles
- Figurines
- Paintings or sculptures
- Memorabilia
Cosmetics
All cosmetics, hair products, toiletries, beauty supplies such as makeup & face cream and also all cosmetics & beauty products that are flammable such as nail polish, aerosol or contain alcohol.
For flammable nail polish and nail care items, please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer to determine if the product is indeed flammable.
E-Juice
Liquid used in e-cigarette devices and vaping devices. If shipping from the US, nicotine content must be 0mg. Examples are E-Liquid and E-Juice
Jewelry
Personal ornaments, such as necklaces, rings, or bracelets, that are typically made from or contain jewels and precious metal. Jewelry with a value greater than USD5,000 may not be shipped to Malaysia.
Knives
Tools with a cutting edge or blade, hand-held or otherwise, with most having a handle. Examples are all knives (including kitchen knives). It’s recommended to ship knives via sea.
Lithium Batteries
Batteries that are packaged with product or contained inside a device such as lithium ion, lithium polymer and lithium metal batteries. Example of lithium batteries packed with equipment are power tools. Whereas, examples of batteries contained inside a device such as laptops or mobile phones.
Mobile Phone
Mobile phones, smartphones, portable telephone that use wireless cellular technology to send and receive phone signals and other data.
SIRIM permit is required to import these devices to Malaysia. They must be packed in special packaging such as rigid container.
Perfume/Cologne
Perfumes, colognes, and fragrant/aromatic liquids typically made from essential oils or extracts from flowers and spices, used to impart a pleasant smell. Examples are
- Fragrance
- Essential oils
- Perfume/cologne
Toy Guns & Weapons
Toys that look like or can be mistaken with guns or weapons such as nerf guns, cap guns, foam swords etc.
Used Auto Parts
Used, aftermarket or second hand item that is a component of an automobile or motorcycle. Item that cannot be shipped is license plate.