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Effective May 2025, Malaysia has significantly tightened regulations on the importation of plastic waste through the release of the “Guidelines for the Importation and Inspection of Waste Plastic” by the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM). These measures are enforced under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) (Amendment) Order 2025, aimed at strengthening environmental safeguards and ensuring responsible waste management.
🧾 Key Import Requirements
Importers must comply with the following conditions:
- Hold a valid manufacturing license approved by MITI
- Operate in-house waste management or recycling facilities
- Obtain a Management of Imported Scrap and Waste (MISW) license from SIRIM
- Undergo pre-shipment and post-arrival inspections
- Provide a bank guarantee to cover potential repatriation costs of non-compliant shipments
♻️ Acceptance Criteria for Plastic Waste
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Waste | Must be recyclable, not sourced from landfill, and securely packaged |
| Target Material Purity | Clean, homogenous (≥99.5%), single polymer type or approved PE/PET/PP mix |
| Allowable Contaminants | ≤2% of inert materials (e.g., dirt, paper, glass); negligible moisture permitted |
| Prohibited Contaminants | Oil, leachate, mould, bugs, hazardous waste, e-waste, radioactive or food waste |
🔍 Inspection and Compliance
- Inspections must be conducted by SIRIM, an approved Foreign Inspection Body, or a Materials Recovery Facility
- Non-compliant shipments must be returned to the country of origin at the importer’s expense
- Repeated violations may result in permit suspension or revocation
Malaysia’s updated framework aligns with its commitments under the Basel Convention and reflects a broader regional trend toward curbing transboundary plastic waste. Countries that have not ratified the Convention or lack bilateral agreements with Malaysia—such as the United States—are now excluded from exporting plastic waste to the country.
