On 2 April 2025, United States President Donald J. Trump has invoked his authority under the US International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to impose the following tariffs on imports into the United States: Certain goods are not subject to the reciprocal tariffs (e.g., steel, aluminum and autos and auto parts subject to existing Section 232 tariffs [of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962], copper, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, lumber, certain energy and critical…
In brief The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has announced the resumption of Non-Preferential Certificate of Origin (NPCO) approvals for specific product categories to be exported to Russia, which include various types of ball or roller bearings. This follows a prior announcement regarding the temporary suspension of NPCO approvals for certain products to be exported to Russia effective 3 December 2024. In more detail Effective 1 January 2025, MITI has resumed issuing NPCO…
We are thrilled to announce the return of Baker McKenzie’s Asia Pacific Trade Conference, the premier flagship event for our Trade Practice Group in Asia Pacific where trade experts from 10 APAC jurisdictions will discuss the evolving geopolitical and trade regulatory landscape effecting supply chains in APAC. This conference is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge for navigating the ever-changing landscape as we share best practices for ensuring on-going compliance with trade and…
Joint Commitment of Singapore and Malaysia to establish a Special Economic Zone in Johor The signing of a memorandum of understanding on 11 January 2024 between Singapore and Malaysia reaffirms the longstanding ties and joint commitment by both countries to strengthen economic cooperation and the establishment of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JSSEZ) which will be located in the state of Johor. Anticipated Tax, Customs & Trade Benefits While the JSSEZ is still in the…
Following the re-tabling of the Malaysian Budget 2023 on 24 February 2023, the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) have reintroduced the Special Voluntary Disclosure Programme (SVDP) 2.0 and the Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) which apply to direct taxes and indirect taxes respectively. A similar programme was previously implemented in 2022 for indirect taxes and in 2019 for direct taxes, although there are some key differences in respect of the…
The ratification of two of the world’s mega-regional free trade agreements, namely the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), marks a significant milestone for Malaysia in its pursuit of bolstering foreign investments and expanding its trade horizons. Malaysia has successfully ratified the RCEP on 17 January 2022, followed by the ratification of the CPTPP on 30 September 2022. Subsequently, the RCEP came into force on 18…
Following the passing of a suite of legislations, sales tax at the rate of 10% will be imposed on low value goods (i.e., all goods outside Malaysia which are sold at a price not exceeding RM 500 and brought into Malaysia via land, sea or air modes) (“LVG”) sold by a seller (i.e., a person who sells LVG on an online marketplace or operates an online marketplace for the sales and purchase of LVG) (“Seller”).…
Baker McKenzie’s Insight+ Blog published “Asia Pacific: RCEP – Coming into force on 1 January 2022,” which can be viewed here.