You are probably looking to transport products between Malaysia and Indonesia. You are in the right place! We will give you some valuable information on this topic to help you see more clearly about means of transport, regulations, customs procedures, etc.. DocShipper Malaysia, from the DocShipper group, has sorted all this information for you.
DocShipper info: FNM Malaysia is an international freight forwarder that handles all of your needs by operating as your single point of contact with all the logistics service providers. Relax because we take care of everything, packaging, organizing transport, customs clearance, administrative procedures, and regardless of the shipping method (air, sea, road, rail). Contact us or call us to receive a free quote in less than 24 hours.
Table of Contents
The different methods of transportation between Malaysia and Indonesia
To connect Malaysia and Indonesia, the two types of means of transport are: Sea freight and air freight
We have listed two major ways below and compare each of them, from advantages to disadvantages, from ports to airports. Comparisons are made, and you only need to choose what suits you best.
Sea freight between Malaysia and Indonesia
DocShipper Tip :Are you looking for rates and/or recommendations for shipping? Contact our specialists by filling out an online form.
Overview - Ocean freight between Malaysia and Indonesia
The two countries are connected by a maritime corridor in Southeast Asia, which is the famous Strait of Malacca.
This long sea corridor is located between the Malaysian peninsula and the Indonesian island, extending over 930 km, with a width between 50 and 390 km.
The proximity of the two countries makes it possible to carry out commercial transport with a fast ride.
The Strait of Malacca is an important and strategic crossing point in southeastern Asia, with more than two-thirds of the oil and gas flows through it.
The shipping route taken by oil tankers through the Strait of Malacca is the shortest and fastest between the Persian Gulf and East Asia, which is also very economical.
The busiest strait in the world is Malacca, with over 100,000 merchant ships passing through it.
The main shipping seaports in Malaysia
Port of Kelang
The port of Kelang is located on the Strait of Malacca. With its 573 km² area, it ranks 16th world port and 1st of Malaysia. Formerly a transshipment port, the port has been able to take advantage of the saturation of the port of Singapore to accommodate many container ships. CMA-CGM has made it its main hub in Asia.
Port of Tanjung Pelepas
The port of Tanjung Pelepas is located at the mouth of the Pulai River. It is the largest container terminal in Malaysia. Since its construction in 2000, it has evolved and managed to rank 17th in the world for containers. The port offers reliable, efficient and advanced services to major shipping companies and box operators, offering shippers in Malaysia and abroad extensive connectivity to the global market. The Port of Tanjung Pelepas is a joint venture between MMC Corporation (70%), a utility and infrastructure group and APM Terminals (30%), a leading global port group with a global network of ports in 69 countries.
The main shipping seaports in Indonesia
Port of Bakauheni
Bakauheni is a town in the south of Lampung province, Indonesia. This port has a great influence in the city, because the flow of ferries is done in large numbers. On average, every 12 minutes, a ferry leaves the port. The port of Bakauheni is one of the busiest in Indonesia.
Port of Tanjung Priok
Tanjung Priok port is the busiest seaport in the country and the most advanced. The port is located in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, which is held by the Indonesian state PT Pelindo port loaded and unloaded 6.2 million, 6.92 million and 7.8 million TEUs of cargo in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively, out of a total capacity of about 8 million TEUs. The container port ranked as the 22nd busiest in the world by Lloyd's Cent Ports.
Port of Surabaya
Tanjung Perak Port is the second busiest seaport in the country, located in Surabaya, East Java. It is the main port for the eastern part of the island of Java. The port is accessible from the north through the Madura Strait, a 40 kilometer long, 110 meter wide and 31 feet deep channel between East Java and Madura Island. Due to its advantageous position, the seaport is the inter-island shipping center for eastern Indonesia. The container terminal of the port is known as Petikemas Terminal. The port loaded and unloaded 3.55 million and 3.8 million TEUs of cargo in 2017 and 2018 respectively. In 2020, Tanjung Perak ranked as the 45th largest port in the world.
Transit time between Malaysia and Indonesia ports
| Indonesia / Malaysia | Port of Kelang | Port of Tanjung Pelepas |
| Port of Bakauheni | 4-7 days | 1-5 days |
| Port of Jakarta | 4-7 days | 4-6 days |
| Port of Surabaya | 5-6 days | 1-5 days |
DocShipper Alert : We are experts in freight forwarding. Do you need to ship your goods from Malaysia to Indonesia by sea? We are here and are able to take care of everything for you to help you save time and money! Contact us via our form or by phone for more information about sea freight and a free quote.
Please note that transit times are an average of days onboard the vessel and do not include pre-carriage, delivery, and customs clearance. Besides, sea freight being the slowest method, you need to schedule departure
Do I have to ship by groupage or full container between Malaysia and Indonesia?
There are several types of containers, but 3 sizes are the most commonly used :
- 20 feet (33 cubic meters capacity)
- 40 feet (67 cubic meters capacity)
- 40 feet HQ (High Cube, 76 cubic meters capacity)
Let's take a look at the two methods of transportation :
Less than Container Load (LCL)
When your cargo does not fill an entire container, LCL shipping is a good option. In addition, it allows you to simply pay for the amount of space you really need, making it ideal for smaller deliveries. Your merchandise will be placed next to that of another merchant moving in the same direction.
The benefits of LCL shipping
Simply put, sending your goods by LCL will be the cheapest alternative if they weigh between 2 CBM and 12/15 CBM (cubic meters). Less money will be spent on packaging and checking the items.
Contrary to air travel, which is subject to a number of limitations, LCL permits the shipment of any form of goods.
The drawbacks of LCL
A FCL's worth of packing, loading, and unloading will prove to be too expensive (over 13 CBM).
Our experiences in Vietnam (and throughout Asia) indicate that FCL is a more sensible option.
Full Container Load (FCL)
This means that between the time of departure and the time of arrival, only one consumer uses the entire container. The container will be sealed as soon as it leaves the company’s property until it is delivered to the customer to minimize risk and expense.
It is a good means of transportation to use if you intend to buy a lot of products.
Therefore, no matter if you complete it completely, FCL will be safer and cheaper for more. Unquestionably, from 15 m³, a full container can be cheaper than LCL.
The benefits of FCL shipping
It is the cheapest means of transport, as the capacity is over 16 MH.
Supervising the packaging of your goods makes it useful (palletizing is not necessary). You manage the security of your property as you see fit.
Because there will not be as much handling, you will feel safer and have less risk of damage (loading, interim storage and unloading).
The drawbacks of FCL
You should only consider this when the volume is adequate.
But what does "big enough" mean?
In other words, 40% to 70% of a 20-inch container, or 13, 14, 15, and 20 MH.
Special maritime transport between Malaysia and Indonesia
There are a number of factors that determine the type of container you will need, including the size of your shipment, as well as the commodity. If you are about to ship specific goods, the below are available.
Reefer container
The refrigerated container is a thermally insulated container with a temperature maintenance device. It allows the transport of goods under controlled temperatures. It is often used for foodstuffs or chemicals.
Roro
A Ro-Ro is a vessel used to transport, among other things, vehicles, loaded by one or more ramps. They are also called Ro-Ro, from the English roll-on/roll-off meaning literally "roll, roll, roll", to distinguish them from the usual cargo ships where products are loaded vertically by cranes
Bulk
Bulk goods are products transported directly into the ship's hold or into the facilities provided for that purpose. A distinction is made in this case between bulk goods and general cargo. Solid bulk goods : (such as coal, ferrous and non-ferrous ores) liquids in bulk: (petroleum and petroleum products). Bulk goods are transported by bulk carriers, specialized vessels for each type of cargo: ore carriers, coal carriers, etc.).
OOG
OOG (Out of Gauge) cargoes are a special category of goods. Because of, for example, their non-standard dimensions or weight, some goods cannot be loaded in traditional containers. These types of cargo are usually loaded on a platform or trailer for transport.
Do not hesitate to contact our experts for any request concerning special transports. Our services are empowered to advise you and offer you the best solutions. Do not hesitate to consult our web page which deals with sea freight.
How much does sea freight between Malaysia and Indonesia cost?
When you decide to export or import, it is very important to know the weight but also the volume of your goods. Indeed, transport pricing is always based on the weight/volume ratio.
You have two options :
- In groupage (goods in bags, crates, drums, etc...). This chargeable unit can be the tonne or the m³ to the advantage of the carrier, according to the weight/volume equivalence rule 1t = 1m³. The higher of the two will be taken to the advantage of the carrier.
- In full containers, the freight is calculated on a flat rate per container, which takes into account the type of container but is independent of the type of goods carried.
For all requests, do not hesitate to contact our sea freight expert by filling out our online form.
Tariff supplementation
Maritime tariff surcharges are charges levied by maritime transport providers in addition to the negotiated party-agreement tariff and which depend on a specific context.
The pricing of freight transport by sea is characterized by its complexity
BAF : Bunker Adjustment Factor
This tariff surcharge corresponds to fluctuations in the price of crude oil. Given the consumption of modern ships, shipping companies began to apply it after the first oil crisis in 1973. It has remained on the agenda ever since
CAF : Currency Adjustment Factor
This surcharge corresponds to fluctuations in the value of the dollar. As the vast majority of ocean freight rates are calculated in US dollars, companies hedge against currency risks with this surcharge
THC : Terminal Handling Charge
THC represents the handling charges at the port of loading and unloading. The amount may be fixed in the case of a container (price per container) or variable in the case of conventional (i.e. "non-containerised") cargo. In the latter case, the rate is per tonne and may be subject to various surcharges (for "excessive" size or weight).
Air freight between Malaysia and Indonesia
DocShipper Recommendation :
Air freight will be the best option if:
Your shipment is less than 2 CBM and if you are in a hurry to receive your products.
- Your shipment is less than 2 CBM
- You must quickly receive your goods
DocShipper Tip : Are you looking for prices and/or advice on air freight? Feel free to contact our experts by filling out our online form.
Classic or Express air freight
Air shipments are also a common mode of transportation for many importers across Asia. Air cargo is a safe, fast and efficient means of transportation between these two territories.
The two methods are quite different from each other, both in terms of price and service :
Conventional air cargo will exploit the space available on conventional airlines such as Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia…
Main Indonesian airports :
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
- Denpasar international airport
- Surabaya international airport
- Sultan Hasanuddin international airport
- Kualanamu international airport
What are the advantages of air transport?
The best thing about air travel is speed.
In general, the transit time between Malaysia and Indonesia does not exceed 7 working days. In most cases, it’s only three to five days. That’s a significant reduction compared to marine cargo. Today, fast delivery times can have a huge impact on a niche market.
Please note that air cargo is only one link in the supply chain. Indeed, in addition to air cargo, you will also need (at a minimum) export and import services, including airport fees, customs declaration, etc. This is of course a service that DocShipper offers.
How much does air freight transport between Malaysia and Indonesia cost?
When shipping by air cargo in the future, it is important to consider all the costs you will have to face when shipping. We are thinking in particular of airport charges, documentation and reporting fees, customs duties and taxes...
For air cargo, it will be charged by weight, by Kgs. Please note that conventional air cargo is still much cheaper by Kgs than express cargo. Finally, the carrier, whether an airline or a postal agency, will consider the most important value between gross weight (on the scale) and dimensional weight (depending on dimensions).
How do you calculate the volumetric weight of your shipment?
For conventional freight, the basic rate is a weight band rate, rapidly decreasing, with a minimum charge for very small shipments. On the same principle, express freight also offers a rate per step depending on the volume you are shipping. As indicated just above, the carrier will base the rate on the greater of the gross weight and the volumetric weight, which is calculated as follows:
- Conventional Air Freight: 1 m³ = 167 Kgs
- Express Air Freight: 1 m³ = 200 kgs
Docshipper Tip : As a freight forwarder, we are also providing air freight services to handle your shipment when you are in a rush and need the operation to be completed quickly. Don't hesitate to contact us or call us for more information about air freight and a free quote!
Docshipper Tip: Because we want to provide the most valuable and comfortable service to our customers, we propose door-to-door shipping, so you don't have to worry about your shipment from the beginning to its arrival in the recipient's office. Contact us or call us for more information and a free quote!
DocShipper recommendations
The airway will be the fastest method you have at your disposal, but it may also be the cheapest! Do not hesitate to contact our team for more information on what solutions are available to you and at what price. Fill out our online form for quick feedback from our experts.
We also put at your disposal our internet page which talks about air cargo.
Custom Clearance in Malaysia
In Malaysia, in order to perform customs clearance of your goods, a full invoice and air waybill are required. If the item being shipped is controlled/restricted or prohibited, an additional permit or licence may be required by the authority.
In Malaysia, your goods will only be cleared and accessible once all duties and taxes have been paid. A shipment may be cleared prior to arrival. Otherwise, if there are problems with your merchandise and/or documentation, the release of the shipment may take 24 to 48 hours after the arrival of your goods.
Custom Clearance in Indonesia
Like in Malaysia, In order to clear your goods, you must bring your full set of complete invoice and the air waybill. If your goods contain dangerous, restricted or prohibited goods, the customs service will ask you to declare them in advance.
What are the customs duties and taxes?
The Harmonized Commodity Description System (HS) is used in Malaysia and Indonesia. As elsewhere, imported items are subject to customs duties. In addition to tariff restrictions, your items may also be subject to VAT and other taxes, which we discuss in more detail below. Goods imported into Vietnam are subject to VAT, Special Consumption Tax (SCT) and possibly Environmental Protection Tax (EPT), in addition to customs taxes (EPT). The type of goods determines the tax rate. For example, taxes on luxury goods are often higher than those on industrial tools or raw materials.
- VAT rates in Vietnam are either zero, 5% or 10%.
- STC rates start at 7% and can go up to over 100% for some products such as cars. Cigarettes and other tobacco products, for example, have been taxed at 75% since January 2019.
We have prepared a web page that explains the customs clearance process.
How to get your HS code?
The safest and most efficient way is to ask your seller.
If he is not able to provide it, go to this site: HS code
Utilizing it is pretty simple. Enter your term into the search field and view the results that appear. Take "pineapple" once more as an example.
Calculating customs duties with the HS code
Do you know what your HS code is? It's time to verify how many taxes will need to be paid on your shipment now. Simple steps are as follows:
Visit the webpage for Vietnamese customs first: Tariff for Malaysians Customs
You must first enter your information (in this example, the HS code and the country of origin, which is Malaysia) :
Are you done? All that's left to do is click the search button to reach the following page :
How to calculate customs duties and taxes
- 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.
- To calculate the VAT, the total value of the imported product + import tax) x VAT rate
- To calculate the special consumption tax, you simply multiply the value of the product by the applicable SCT rate.
- To calculate the environmental protection tax, you simply multiply the quantity of taxable goods by the EPR rate
- 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?
As part of your normal obligations, we will not take payment. In order to demonstrate this to you, we will return the data that has been provided by Vietnamese Customs. Only the expenses related to the creation of a regulatory information document will be subject to an indulgence. Since we will be creating the necessary documents for you, DocShipper will be responsible for collecting these customs leniency fees. The government will be responsible for collecting the customs-related fees.
Docshipper Tip: If you have any questions about international logistics, do not hesitate to ask our experts, they'll be happy to answer your questions! Contact us to get a free quote by filling out our form or calling us!
Required documents
Certificate of origin
The certificate of origin attests to the country of origin of the goods transported. The country of manufacture, which should not be confused with the place of origin of the goods, is indicated in this document, which is necessary in international trade.
Original invoice
To clear your purchases through customs, whether for Malaysia or Indonesia, you must have the original invoice. Check that the quantity on the original invoice and the packing list match.
Bill of lading
The bill of lading is a proof of carriage document that attests to the exporter's delivery of the declared goods. Furthermore, the bill of lading is a legal document, which must be taken into account. In addition, it provides all the data necessary to process the freight and invoice it correctly.
Packing list
For each of the parties involved in the supply chain, shippers create a "packing list". This official document, which is required for every air and sea freight shipment, provides all the information on the product(s) and packaging that are included in each shipment.
Health certificate
The health certificate is a certificate which attests, after control by the competent authorities, that the products comply with the standards laid down by the legislation on production hygiene, microbiological standards of food products and animal health.
Please contact our DocShipper professionals if you want to import products from any of the above lists! They will walk you through the whole procedure.
DocShipper Advice : More than 10 years of expertise on the Asian continent, allows us to offer tailor-made freight solutions at more than competitive prices. Do not hesitate to contact our dedicated specialists for more information on your transfer, we are always happy to serve and disseminate our knowledge, we respond within 24 hours! Contact us by filling out our form or call us to get a free quote in 24 hours.
Our additional services
Storage and warehousing
DocShipper's warehouses are well located to hold your goods for as long as necessary before exporting them. In addition, we can recommend a container optimisation strategy, for example, if you are pooling your products with those of other suppliers, or if you are filling a container to capacity, or if you already have a full container but want to split it up at the destination port and distribute it to other regions.
Please see our warehousing services page for more details.
Packaging and repackaging
If you want to ensure that your product is stable throughout delivery and has the best possible protection during storage, you should not ignore the packing and preparation stage. For your business, we have pallets, cartons, boxes, tape, bubble wrap and other supplies. So feel free to take a look around our website.
Please see our dedicated packaging services page for more details.
Insurance for Transport
The cost of insurance varies depending on the type of vehicle utilized, the products' idea, and the insurance provider. Regardless of the goods, the pronounced worth may be increased by up to 20% to account for any damage incurred. The supporter indicates the product's worth as well as the principal transportation expenses.
Visit our page: Insurance services
Moving and shipping personal belongings
Is it accurate to say that you want to go to Malaysia? You need to ship a lot of luggage or souvenirs when you travel. Professionals take care of all the pressing, packing and customs clearance to ensure safe delivery to your home, whether in Malaysia, Vietnam or anywhere else on the planet.
Visit our page: Moving services
FAQ | Freight between Malaysia and Indonesia | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes
Which means of transport will be the cheapest between Malaysia and Indonesia?
The cheapest form of transportation is marine. However, if you want to receive your goods as soon as possible, air cargo is made available to you, which is more expensive.
What are the advantages of sea freight?
Sea freight is the cheapest expensive mode of transportation. It is possible to transport large and small goods. In the case of Malaysia and Indonesia, thanks to the proximity of the two countries, the transport will not exceed 7 days, which is extremely profitable.
Can Docshipper take care of sending my goods from Indonesia to Malaysia?
Our teams can take care of sending your goods. Simply contact our experts via our website or social networks, to tell them what you want.
DocShipper offers storage services in Malaysia and Indonesia?
Our group offers storage services in both countries. Are you looking for a place of storage for a long time or the time to ship your goods? Contact our experts who will meet your needs.
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!
- You don't trust your supplier? Ask our experts to do quality control to guarantee the condition of your goods!
- 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!
DocShipper | Your dedicated freight forwarder in Malaysia !
Due to our attractive pricing, many customers trust our services and we thanks them. Stop overpaying the services and save money with our tailored package matching will all type of shipment, from small volume to full container, let us find the best and cost-effective solution.
Communication is important, which is why we strive to discuss in the most suitable way for you!
