Shipping from Malaysia to Hong Kong

With a population of over 7.2 million, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the entire planet. Because of the city's flourishing population, exporters find shipping goods by ocean to Hong Kong to be appealing.

Hong Kong is the world's biggest hub for re-exports. A logical next step for your company is ocean freight to Hong Kong.

The port of Hong Kong, which serves as a maritime entryway to Southern China, is the biggest port in the world for handling and navigating cargo ships. The Hong Kong port, the largest in the world, is widely recognized as being crucial to the growth of the province of Hong Kong.

The advantages of sea freight

Since its origin, ocean freight has been the most widely used method of moving materials, with ships transporting machinery and tools all across the world during the Industrial Revolution. Although technological advancements have significantly decreased delays and improved reliability, maritime freight's appeal hasn't changed. This is mainly because of the superior infrastructure, increased range and volume, and logistical and financial advantages.

Disadvantages of sea freight transportation

The primary drawback is how long it takes to move cargo from one place to another. Unfavorable weather conditions might cause delays and obstacles on the voyage, which could lead to your shipment being damaged. Basic freight prices can also change as a result of fuel and exchange rate fees.

Sea freight from Malaysia to Hong Kong could take a few more days to a week depending on the schedule.

The main shipping seaports in Malaysia

Malaysia houses one of the biggest port facilities in the world. It is also a transhipment hub of the Asian region and a preferred point of entry into the South East Asian Market.

There are 7 ports in Malaysia but three are the most important :

Port Klang

Klang Port is located near the northernmost point of the Malacca Strait, which connects the nation's capital Kuala Lumpur with the South China Sea, on the western coast of the Malaysian Peninsula. Around 38% of Malaysia's international maritime traffic comes through this facility, which is known as the country's flagship port. This port handled more than 220 million tonnes of cargo in 2018.

Exports of goods like lumber, cars, rubber, liquid bulk like latex, palm and coconut oil, petroleum products, fuel, and containerized goods are handled by the Klang Port. It manages imports of things like fruit, grains, machine equipment, steel coils, rods, and wires.

Port of Tanjung Pelepas

This port facility is located in the state of Johor in the southern region of Malaysia, near the Pulai River delta.
Since it solely handles containerized goods, it is not a versatile port. The port, which covers 1930 acres, has 14 container berths large enough to accommodate the largest container ships. It's interesting to note that it was the first facility in the world to load a cargo ship with more than 20,000 TEU.

Port of Penang

The Penang port is located between the western coasts of the Malaysian Peninsula and the northeast coast of Pulao Pinang. The third-busiest container handling facility in the nation, it is tethered to Thailand's southern states and northern area.

In 2018, 33.9 million tonnes of cargo and more than 1 million TEU were handled by Malaysia's oldest port. It has also become a more well-liked cruise destination.
Electrical items, rubber, and packaged manufactured goods are the main export commodities. It manages imports mostly of rice, sugar, iron, and petroleum products.

Transit time between Malaysia and Hong Kong ports

The estimated duration of the sea journey from Malaysia to Hong Kong is variable and depends on where you are in Malaysia as well as the port of departure. Below you will find an estimate of the transportation time. Of course this does not take into consideration the customs clearance time and the delivery time to the final destination.

Malaysia / Hong Kong	Port of Hong Kong
Port Klang	7-10 days
Port of Tanjung Pelepas	5-6 days
Port Of Penang	5-9 days

Should I send my items from Malaysia to Hong Kong in a groupage or a full container ?

When you are sending merchandise to Hong Kong, how large will your shipment be?

The three main categories of standard container sizes are as follows. All of them may be used for both personal and professional transportation. We can observe that merchants use them most often for any kind of solid sample :

The 40 feet HQ (High Cube, which has a capacity of 76 cubic meters)
The 40 feet container (which has a capacity of 67 cubic meters)
The 20 feet container (which has a capacity of 33 cubic meters)

Less Container Load (LCL)

It describes a scenario in which a container is loaded with varied cargoes from multiple shippers. It becomes uneconomical for a shipper to hire a complete container while sending a tiny amount of cargo that wouldn't fill the entire container. In such circumstances, choosing the LCL shipping option is financially advantageous.

Special maritime transport between Malaysia and Hong Kong

There are several types of sea transport offered by maritime transport companies and these include:

Cargo ships – ranging in size and having large hydraulic hatches covering the hold. Sometimes these ships have special refrigerated compartments for storing perishable goods

Container ships – with 20-40ft long containers that can be easily loaded and unloaded onto and off the vessel for final transportation by road or rail

Bulk carriers – typically used to transport wood chips, grains, and other materials that are poured directly into the hold

Refrigerated ships – often called Reefers, these ships are used to transport perishable commodities that need temperature-controlled transportation, such as meat, fish, and dairy products

Roll-on/roll-off ships – cargo ships that are designed to carry wheeled cargo such as vehicles, equipped with built-in ramps for driving directly on and off the vessel

Tankers – commonly used for hauling oil or other types of liquids or gases

Barges – cargo container ships will often tow barges behind them in order to increase storage space

How much does it cost to ship from Malaysia to Hong Kong ?

The price of shipping products by water varies greatly depending on a number of factors. For instance, if you're sending a small or huge amount, you won't select the same container type.

Choose an LCL (Less Than Container Load) rather than an FCL if your shipment is less than 15 cubic meters (Full Container Load). Naturally, our experts will aid you in selecting the best option for your needs.

*Our ability to provide packing and/or loading services will depend on your needs and will have an impact on the final price.

However, as the cost of marine freight is determined by the weight and quantity of the goods carried, we can explain how this is calculated.

You should be aware that the following equivalency rule is used to establish the weight/volume ratio: equals 1 m3 per ton.
Groupage and traditional modes of conveyance are well-established in UP.
Regardless of the unit of measurement, it will always be advantageous to the carrier to perform the calculation or correlate to the highest value (in volume or in mass).

Additional charges

Aside from the basic freight rate, shipping companies impose a variety of surcharges to cover any additional costs resulting from specific circumstances, such as an increase in fuel prices and shortages brought on by the high demand during the shipping peak season.

Although some of these costs can be avoided with careful planning, the majority are challenging to avoid. However, it's crucial to understand the origins of some of the more significant ones.

BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) : The BAF applies according to the number of TEUs shipped and is charged by the shipping companies to compensate for fluctuations in fuel prices. This surcharge varies from route to route.

EBS (Emergency Bunker Surcharge) : The EBS is similar to the BAF in the sense that it covers rise in fuel prices. The EBS can also vary according to the shipping container type and shipping route.

CAF (Currency Adjustment Factor) : The CAF covers exchange rate risks from one currency to another.

Terminal Handling Charge (THC) : THC is a representation of the handling fees at the port for loading and unloading. Conventional cargo, commonly referred to as "non-containerized," may have a variable or fixed price based on the type of container being utilized. In the latter case, the tariff is determined per kilogram and may be subject to additional charges (for "excessive" size or weight).

Origin Receipt Charge (ORC) : You are only required to pay this additional fee while departing Chinese ports. It helps to finance the rapidly expanding number of Chinese ports.

Air freight from Malaysia to Hong Kong

Global importers and exporters employ air freight when they need to deliver goods fast and reliably. Despite the fact that 90% of everything is delivered by ocean, aviation freight connects the world more quickly.

It is typically preferable to ship a small number of items via air freight as opposed to sea freight. In fact, as your product must share a container with other deliveries, there are additional expenses related to shipping modest amounts by sea, such as bundling and unbundling fees at the port. Due to this, we advise shipping through air if your shipment doesn't actually reach 3 m3.

International VS express air freight

International air freight and express freight shipments are not the same things.

Express air freight is frequently managed by a single organization (such as DHL, UPS, or FedEx) that oversees the entire shipment lifecycle and can deliver packages from door to door in less than five days. Express air freight shipments are often smaller than air freight (less than 1 cubic meter and 200 kg).

International air freight cargo : Options for modes of air freight include passenger aircraft, the cargo hold of a passenger aircraft or a commercial cargo aircraft. Air freight transportation begins at the airline terminal, where the air freight company you’ve selected receives the cargo. It is then prepared and loaded into the aircraft. The air freight cargo can be considerably bigger and can travel on many carriers. In actuality, a whole train may fit inside the Anatov 225, the largest cargo aircraft.

How much does air freight between Malaysia and Hong Kong cost ?

Since each shipment is unique, it is difficult to provide an accurate cost because it will depend on the weight and volume of your products to be shipped.

The weight/size ratio of products, which is calculated by multiplying the weight of the item by the price per kilogram, also affects the cost of air freight.

Air freight is generally cheaper per kilogram than delivery companies, although its base price is higher. The largest gross tonnage (placed on the scale) and the largest cubic load will be used to assess air freight charges for both art carriers and express couriers.

How do you calculate the volumetric weight of your shipment?

The standard rate for traditional freight is a weight band rate that rapidly decreases, with a minimum fee for very tiny items. In accordance with the same idea, express freight also provides a rate per step based on the quantity you are transporting. The greater of the gross weight and the volumetric weight, which is determined as follows, will serve as the carrier's basis for determining the rate, as previously stated:

Conventional Air Freight: 1 m³ = 167 Kgs
Express Air Freight: 1 m³ = 200 kgs

What is the difference between volumetric and gross weight?

Volumetric weight is significant to measure the space occupied by the shipment (volume or density). Whereas, gross weight is more focused on the weight of the shipment.

To calculate the volumetric weight : Length x Width x Height x 167

To calculate air freight gross weight : Product Weight + Packaging/Pallet Weight

The carrier will provide you a quote based on this weight if the volumetric weight exceeds the actual weight of your consignment. Now that you know how it works, you may utilize online load weight calculators to make things simpler.

Hong Kong customs clearance for products imported from Malaysia

As soon as a product enters or leaves the country's customs area, whether it is imported, exported or in transit, it must be declared to customs officials. Customs clearance is the term for this procedure. Thus, the declarant or the owner of the items will not be allowed to recover his goods until he has completed the numerous formalities, be it control, tax or formalities.

Custom Clearance in Malaysia

In Malaysia, a complete invoice and air waybill are needed to execute customs clearance on your products. The authority may demand an additional permit or license if the object being sent is restricted, controlled, or illegal.

Your products won't be cleared and available in Malaysia until all tariffs and taxes have been paid. A package might be cleared before it gets there. Otherwise, it can take 24 to 48 hours after your products arrive for the cargo to be released if there are issues with your merchandise and/or documentation.

Custom Clearance in Hong Kong

Generally speaking, all shipments entering or leaving the HKSAR through air, land, or sea are subject to customs control, which is generally carried out through the examination of paperwork such manifests. If necessary, a physical inspection of the products is mostly done on a case-by-case basis.

The fact that Hong Kong is a free port is one of the main factors contributing to its popularity with foreign corporations. On imported or exported commodities, it does not impose any customs tariffs, surcharges, fees, or tariff limits.

Any individual who imports or exports any articles—aside from those that are exempt—must file accurate and complete import and export declarations within 14 days of doing so.

Process of Customs

Once the truck reaches the Johor customs gate, officers from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department will inspect your order and any associated paperwork.

To export your goods, you must have the following paperwork:

Air Waybill
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Export Permit (if required)

The exporter frequently needs to register with the Malaysian Companies Commission in order to export products that require a license. One of the criteria is a license to export specific plants, forest products, minerals, and other products. The list of items requiring this export authorization is available on the official website of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

Before the shipment, you must classify and declare your goods to Malaysian authorities. Like the majority of customs administrations, Malaysia classifies your products using the System Source tax code. You may view the classification of your products using the HS code. Two Taxes and tariffs may be imposed on your purchase depending on what you are sending.

How to get your HS code?

Your products are categorized using an HS code for export. The entire name of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, often known as the Harmonized System, is a bit of a mouthful if you want to know what the term "HS Code" implies (HS).

The benefits of standard product classification provided by these tariff codes for importers and exporters include the following for global trade:

Efficiency: For quicker international shipping, you can boost efficiency with a tariff classification system that is more universal, both during transit and after goods reach their destination before being assessed for any import charges.

Legal safeguards: It is your obligation as an importer or exporter to assign the correct HS categories to the items you handle. The misuse of these codes might result in fines and penalties by establishing legal culpability.

Budgets: It is significantly simpler for firms to project their costs when there is a precise, globally standardized set of harmonized tariff codes. The increased efficiency and regulatory requirements also greatly reduce the likelihood of unforeseen costs occurring.

How to estimate taxes and customs duties

To find the value of the customs duty, you need to add the total value of the imported product to the consumption tax (if applicable) + environmental protection rate (if applicable) x tax rate.
The entire cost of the imported product plus the import tax) x the VAT rate are used to determine the VAT.
To calculate the special consumption tax, you simply multiply the value of the product by the applicable SCT rate.
Multiply the number of taxable commodities by the EPR rate to get the environmental protection tax.
Finally, if you wish to calculate all the taxes applicable to importing into Vietnam, simply do the following calculation: import tax + VAT + TCS (if applicable) + EPT (if applicable

Does Docshipper charge duty?

Payment is not a part of your ongoing obligations to us. We'll return the information that Malaysian Customs gave us to prove this to you. Only costs associated with producing a regulatory information document are eligible for an indulgence. DocShipper will be in charge of obtaining these customs leniency fees since we will be preparing the required paperwork for you. The customs fees will be gathered by the government.

Required documents

You must have the original invoice in order to clear your purchases through customs, whether you are traveling to Malaysia or Hong Kong. Verify that the amount listed on the packing list and the original invoice are the same.

The certificate of origin

The country of origin of the items transported is confirmed by the certificate of origin. This document indicates the country of manufacture, which should not be confused with the country of origin of the goods. This is a requirement for international trade.

Bill of Lading

A bill of lading (BL or BoL) is a legal document issued by a carrier (transportation company) to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried. A bill of lading also serves as a shipment receipt when the carrier delivers the goods at a predetermined destination. This document must accompany the shipped products, no matter the form of transportation, and must be signed by an authorized representative from the carrier, shipper, and receiver.

Packing List

An international commerce document is a packing list. It offers details about the shipment, such as how it is packed, the sizes and weights of each package, and the marks and numbers that are noted on the outside of the boxes, to the exporter, international freight forwarder, and eventual consignee.

Health certificate

A health certificate is a legal document that is used in export-import transactions and is issued by the governments of the countries of origin to certify that a food shipment is safe for consumption and complies with any other applicable laws.

This certificate, as its name suggests, attests to the items' excellent health and is typically provided by a veterinarian, veterinary authority, or the agriculture ministry.

Warehousing and storage

For companies of all sizes, DocShipper offers a wide variety of storage options. From small E-commerce businesses who want adaptable and inexpensive storage for their products to major corporations that require comprehensive logistics solutions, including local, national, and international pick-up and delivery services.
We are aware that clients want their purchases as soon as possible, and that prompt delivery is dependent on your business having high-quality storage where inventory can be kept orderly.

More info on our dedicated page : Warehousing.

Insurance for Transport

A transportation insurance policy provides protection for the insured's possessions while they are being transported from one place to another using any required means of transportation. This coverage is determined by the goods' worth and the level of risk the insurance provider is willing to assume when the goods are transported from loading to the specified location.

The price of insurance varies depending on the type of transport used, the product design and the insurance company. The final amount can be increased by up to 20% to include any damage. The adjuster will indicate the value of the item as well as the primary transportation costs.

Visit our page: insurance services.

FAQ | Freight between Malaysia and Hong Kong | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

What goods are subject to taxes and duties in Hong Kong?

Most imports entering Hong Kong are tax-free, with the exception of the following dutiable goods: alcoholic beverages, methyl alcohol, tobacco, and petroleum products. The item itself determines the amount of payable duties. For instance, wine and liquor with alcohol contents under 30% are exempt from taxes, but beverages with alcohol contents over 30% are subject to 100% duty rates.

How do I pay taxes and duties?

Prior to the items being released from customs, the amount of Hong Kong customs tariff and duty tax due on imported goods must be paid. Businesses from Malaysia who import products into Hong Kong have several options for paying taxes and levies, including cash, checks, and credit cards. Businesses may occasionally be allowed to pay taxes and fees online.

What Factors Affect Transit Time?

External factors that affect the most effective route for carriers to take, such as weather conditions and road closures, constantly alter the amount of time it takes for shipments to arrive. To guarantee that products reach their intended destinations on time, logistics professionals must constantly monitor these changes.

How are container shipping costs calculated?

The following five criteria are the main ones that shipping companies use to determine their costs: 1) The size or weight of the cargo, 2) The mode of transportation, 3) The length of the trip, 4) The port of arrival, and 5) The season. You can get more specific information about our suppliers' calculations from them.

DocShipper Advise : We help you with the entire sourcing process so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

Having trouble finding the appropriate product? Enjoy our sourcing services, we directly find the right suppliers for you!
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Do you need help with the logistics? Our international freight department supports you with door to door services!
You don't want to handle distribution? Our 3PL department will handle the storage, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery!

Freight between Malaysia and Hong Kong | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

What is the best method of transport between Malaysia and Hong Kong ?

Sea Freight between Malaysia and Hong Kong