Shipping times and costs from United States of America to Malaysia

Shipping from
United States of America
Shipping to
Malaysia
Shipping times
1 - 3 Days by air
26 - 31 Days by sea

1 Bedroom flat

Shipping costs by air £5,161 - £5,704
Shipping costs by sea £2,710 - £2,995

3 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £4,169 - £4,607

5 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £6,253 - £6,911

The cost of shipping is all dependent upon how much you need to ship, and how far. Read up on all you need to know about international shipping to your chosen country.

Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.

Shipping Container Costs to Malaysia

Malaysia is one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful countries. Spread between the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo, the tropical nation is home to a gorgeous array of beaches, mountains and rainforests. There are about 32 million people living there, famous for their diverse mix of Malay, Indian, Chinese and European cultures. The stunning capital city of Kuala Lumpur is popular with expats, but there are lots of smaller cities and quiet coastal towns for people who want somewhere a bit less intense. Some of Malaysia’s best natural beauty includes the bright green Cameron Highlands, the caves of Mulu National Park and the towering Mount Kinabalu. For spectacular weather and delicious food, you can’t do much better than Malaysia.

Different shipping options

It’s easy to move your belongings to Malaysia. After you’ve decided what you’re bringing, you need to choose between two options: air freight or sea freight.

For people moving in a rush, air freight is best. Most cargo planes can travel to Malaysia from anywhere in the world in only two or three days. However, air freight is also very expensive, so it’s best avoided if you’re moving on a budget.

On the other hand, sea freight is significantly cheaper, normally costing about five times less than air freight. While the service is much slower, it is also much more affordable, so it’s important that you plan your move well in advance.

If you do opt for sea freight, one of our suppliers will ship your belongings in either a 20ft or a 40ft container. For smaller volumes of cargo there is a process called Less Than Container Load (LCL), in which several people share the use of one container. Most of our suppliers offer a door-to-door service, meaning they’ll look after every part of the process from your old home all the way to your new one.

Major shipping routes

Malaysia is a major player in the global shipping industry, so it’s kitted out with lots of big ports. Its largest container terminal is Port Klang on the west coast, which is in a really handy location if you’re moving to (or near) Kuala Lumpur. Other major ports include Johor and Tanjung Pelepas (both on the south coast next to Singapore). Once your container has passed through customs, it will travel by truck or train to your new Malaysian home.  

Malaysia customs

The customs process can seem fairly daunting, but your shipping supplier will help you through it. You are required to create an inventory of everything you’re bringing into Malaysia, which is basically a detailed list of all the items inside your container. Customs officials are entitled to physically inspect your container, so it’s important your inventory matches up with what they find. See below for an idea of the things that are restricted or prohibited by Malaysian customs.

You are allowed to bring your household goods into Malaysia duty-free, but the goods must be at least three months old and intended for use in your new Malaysian residence. Otherwise, the standard rate for Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the border is around 6%. Check out the official Malaysian customs website for more information.

Shipping Container Options

20Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £4,169 - £4,607

Get a quote for a 20ft container
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  • Boxes
    16 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedrooms
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

40Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £7,920 - £8,754

Get a quote for a 40ft container
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  • Boxes
    28 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedroom
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x car, 1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

Car shipped by sea freight

Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)

Base Price: £1,290 - £1,426

Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500

Price: £6,269 - £9,857

Get a quote for a car
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Unusual Restricted Items

Narcotics
Narcotics are prohibited. Medication – in original packaging and with original labels accompanied by prescription or medical certificate.
Indecent Media
Any form of media considered to be indecent is prohibited.
Counterfeit items
Any counterfeit items are prohibited.
Explosive Material & Weapons
Weapons and ammunition permissible only with authorisation. Contact nearest embassy for more information
Animals
Live animals – health certificate required along with complete and valid inoculations
Currency
Any negotiable instruments exceeding US$ 10,000 or foreign currency equivalent needs to be declared to the customs.