Malaysian product export firms face company incorporation costs of RM 2,500 to RM 5,000 including government fees, professional services, and export-specific licenses.
Understanding Base Registration Fee Components
The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) charges a standard incorporation fee of RM 500 for a private limited company (Sdn Bhd). This covers name reservation, certificate of incorporation, and registration of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. For export firms, additional name approvals for product-specific branding may incur an extra RM 50 to RM 100.
Minimum Paid Up Capital Rules
Product export companies must adhere to a minimum paid‑up capital of RM 1, as per SSM guidelines, but practical requirements from banks and trade partners often demand RM 100,000 to RM 500,000. Higher paid‑up capital reduces perceived risk and facilitates export credit facilities. The cost of funding this capital includes notary fees for capital declaration, typically RM 200 to RM 500.
Professional and Secretarial Service Costs
Engaging a professional incorporation agent or corporate secretarial firm costs between RM 1,500 and RM 3,000 for full setup. This includes drafting of statutory documents, filing with SSM, and providing a registered office address. Ongoing annual secretarial fees range from RM 1,200 to RM 2,500, which are essential for compliance and export license renewals.
Business Premises and Licensing Fees
Export firms require a physical business address for registration. Renting a serviced office or co‑working space in Malaysia costs RM 500 to RM 2,000 per month. Additionally, a general business license (e.g., from the local municipality) costs RM 250 to RM 1,000. For export‑specific premises, a warehouse or storage facility adds RM 1,000 to RM 3,000 monthly.
Customs and Export Permit Application Fees
Product export firms must obtain a Customs registration and an export permit from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). The Customs registration fee is RM 100, while export permits for regulated goods (e.g., food, electronics) range from RM 200 to RM 800 per product category. Frequent filings may require a customs agent costing RM 500 to RM 1,500 per year.
Tax Registration and Compliance Expenses
Registering for Sales and Service Tax (SST) and Corporate Income Tax is free, but engaging a tax consultant to set up accounting systems and GST‑neutral export procedures costs RM 800 to RM 2,000. Annual tax filing fees for export firms average RM 1,500 to RM 3,000. Non‑compliance penalties for late registration can reach RM 1,000 per breach.
| Cost Category | Estimated Amount (RM) | Frequency | Notes for Export Firms |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSM incorporation fee | 500 | One‑time | Includes name reservation |
| Paid‑up capital declaration | 200–500 | One‑time | Optional higher capital |
| Professional agent fee | 1,500–3,000 | One‑time | Includes secretarial setup |
| Business premises (rent) | 500–2,000 | Monthly | Serviced office or warehouse |
| General business license | 250–1,000 | Annual | Municipality fee |
| Customs registration | 100 | One‑time | MITI approval needed |
| Export permit fees | 200–800 | Per product | Regulated goods only |
| Tax consultant setup | 800–2,000 | One‑time | SST & corporate tax |
| Annual secretarial fee | 1,200–2,500 | Annual | Compliance maintenance |
| Annual tax filing fee | 1,500–3,000 | Annual | Export‑specific deductions |
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