Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA)
MAFTA Tariff Finder
Find the applicable tariff under MAFTA for your product using the Australian Government's online MAFTA Tariff finder.
Australians to benefit from Malaysia FTA
The Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) was signed in May 2012 by Australia’s Minister for Trade and Competitiveness, Craig Emerson, and Malaysia’s Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed and came into force on 1 January 2013.
Under the Agreement, Malaysia will eliminate tariffs on 97.6 per cent of goods imported from Australia, extending to 99 per cent by 2017. Malaysian exports will benefit from duty-free entry into Australia from day-one. The Agreement also addresses other barriers to trade, will simplify administration for traders and allow more Australian business executives and senior managers to work in Malaysia.
Australian industries to benefit include milk; automotives; processed foods; plastics; chemicals and a range of manufactured products; wine; iron and steel; and rice. Significant gains have also been achieved for services and investment through access to majority ownership in companies in a wide range of sectors including education; financial; telecommunications and professional services. Suppliers in other industries such as tourism, research and development and mining-related services will also be guaranteed the right to majority ownership.
More information on the agreement can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website. Information sessions for interested Australian companies are planned throughout 2013. Details will be available here, meanwhile you can see the presentation and hear the webinar on Opportunities in Malaysia from April 2013, along with the follow up Q&A.
Doing business Malaysia
Before entering the Malaysian business market, there are a number of factors to take into account including culture, politics and business etiquette.
Austrade can help Australian companies familiarise themselves with local market conditions, as well as assist in developing export opportunities through a range of in-market and Australian-based services.
There is extensive information about doing business in Malaysia on this website.
Please see the Malaysia profile under 'Country Profiles'.