Shipping rates from China to Malaysia
Summary:This article delves into the trade relationship between China and Malaysia, highlighting that ASEAN has become China's largest trading partner. Given the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and Malaysia's support for the Belt and Road Initiative, bilateral trade cooperation is expected to continue strengthening. The primary objective of this article is to introduce the various logistics transportation methods for shipping goods from China to Malaysia, including international ocean freight, international air freight, air freight express (with or without duties), and international express. We will discuss the transit time, shipping costs, and key considerations for each method, enabling readers to select the most suitable transportation option based on their specific cargo requirements.
International Ocean Freight for Standard Containers
Container Types:
Dry containers: Standard containers for general cargo, available in 20ft and
40ft lengths, and 40ft high cube.
Reefer containers: Temperature-controlled containers for perishable goods.
Open-top containers: Containers with a removable roof for oversized or
heavy cargo.
Flat-rack containers: Containers with no top or sides, used for oversized
or heavy cargo that cannot be loaded through the doors.
Container Dimensions:
20ft standard: 2.35m wide, 2.39m high, 5.89m long
40ft standard: 2.35m wide, 2.39m high, 12.03m long
40ft high cube: 2.35m wide, 2.69m high, 12.03m long
Shipping Routes and Ports:
China: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Foshan, Shanghai (mainly concentrated in
Guangdong Province)
Malaysia: Port Klang, Kuala Lumpur Port, Bintulu Port, Johor Bahru Port,
Penang Port, and 13 other major ports. Port Klang, located in the Strait of Malacca, is the
largest port in Malaysia and a strategic hub for trade between the Far East and Europe.
Ocean Freight Rates from China to Malaysia
| Origin Port | Destination Port | 20GP (MYR) | 40GP (MYR) | 40HC (MYR) | Sailing Days | Shipping Line | Rate Validity (2024) |
| Shekou | Penang | 703 | 1171 | 1171 | 9 | HMM | 3.15-3.31 |
| Zhongshan | Penang | 1171 | 1171 | 1875 | 9 | oocl | 3.15-3.31 |
| Waigaoqiao | Penang | 1406 | 2812 | 2812 | 17 | EMC | 3.15-3.31 |
| Zhanjiang | West Port Klang | 1640 | * | 2812 | 7 | EMC | 3.15-3.31 |
| Shekou | West Port Klang | 703 | 1171 | 1171 | 5 | HMM | 3.15-3.31 |
| Shekou | North Port Klang | 1640 | 2578 | 2578 | 5 | ONE | 3.15-3.31 |
| Huangpu | North Port Klang | 1171 | 2578 | 2578 | 3 | KMTC | 3.15-3.31 |
| Shekou | Bintulu | 2812 | 5390 | 5390 | 13 | SITC | 3.15-3.31 |
| Guangzhou | Bintulu | 4218 | 7031 | 7031 | 10 | COSCO | 3.15-3.31 |
According to the table above：
The minimum cost to ship a 20-foot standard container from China to Malaysia is 703 Malaysian Ringgit. For a 40-foot general purpose (GP) container, the minimum cost is 1171 Malaysian Ringgit. The fastest transit time for a full container load (FCL) shipment from China to Malaysia can be as quick as three days, especially for shipments originating from Huangpu Port and destined for North Port Klang.
Loading capacity of a 20-foot standard container
A 20-foot standard container has a volume capacity of 35.9 cubic meters, but typically, only 28 to 32 cubic meters of cargo can be loaded into a 20-foot GP container. Other shipping lines such as Maersk, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA CGM, and COSCO have similar volume capacities for their 20-foot containers.
LCL Shipping from China to Malaysia
What is LCL Shipping?
Less than Container Load (LCL) shipping is a cost-effective option for shippers whose cargo doesn't fill an entire shipping container. The carrier (or agent) consolidates smaller shipments from multiple shippers into a single container for transportation to a shared destination.
| Fee | Unit Price | Unit |
| Ocean Freight | RT | |
| Customs Clearance Fee | CNY320 | Per shipment |
| Document Fee | CNY300 | Per shipment |
| Consolidation Fee | CNY40 | RT |
| Destination Port | Volume Range (CBM) | Ocean Freight (USD) | Shipping Line | Transit Time | Volume Ratio |
| Bintulu | 0~15 | 105 | SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL | 16 | 1:500 |
| Kota Kinabalu | 0~15 | 69 | SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL | 21 | 1:500 |
| Kuching | 0~15 | 65 | SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL | 15 | 1:500 |
| Labuan | 0~15 | 128 | SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL | 18 | 1:500 |
| Sandakan | 0~15 | 295 | SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL | 22 | 1:500 |
| Sibu | 0~15 | 80 | SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL | 19 | 1:500 |
| Tawau | 0~15 | 290 | SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL | 22 | 1:500 |
| Miri | 0~15 | 240 | SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL/SZ-WHL | 17 | 1:500 |
| Port Kelang | 0~3/3~5/5~15 | 29/27/21 | WHL/WHL/WHL/WHL | 5 | 1:1000 |
| Penang | 0~1/1~3/3~5/5~15 | 24/19/17/16 | SK-CNC/SK-TSL | 5/8 | 1:1000 |
| Pasir Gudang | 0~3/3~5/5~15 | 28/25/22 | SK-WHL/SK-EMC | 7 | 1:1000 |
What Does "Volume Ratio 1:1000" Mean?
Typically, 1 cubic meter (CBM) is equivalent to 1 metric ton (1000 kilograms). However, the volume ratio is used to determine if a shipment is considered heavy or light. If 1 CBM weighs less than 1000 kg, it's considered light weight. If it weighs more, it's considered heavy weight. For instance, if a shipment is 1200 kg, it will be charged based on 1.2 CBM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum cost for shipping 1 CBM to Penang from Shenzhen?
The ocean freight for 1 CBM to Penang is 29 USD, which is equivalent to 136 Malaysian
Ringgit.
What is the fastest LCL shipping time from Shenzhen to Port
Klang?
The fastest transit time from Shenzhen to Port Klang is 5 days.
Air Freight from China to Malaysia
Air freight is the fastest way to transport goods from China to Malaysia, typically taking 1-5
days. This mode of transportation is ideal for time-sensitive shipments or perishable items.
Departure Airports in China: Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing
Daxing International Airport (PKX), Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), Guangzhou Baiyun
International Airport (CAN), etc.
Destination Airports in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL),
Alor Setar Airport (AOR), Penang International Airport (PEN), Langkawi International Airport
(LGK), Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), etc.
| Departure Airport | Destination Airport | +45KG (MYR/KG) | +100KG (MYR/KG) | +300KG (MYR/KG) | +500KG (MYR/KG) | +1000KG (MYR/KG) | Valid Until |
| PKX | KUL | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 03.14 - 03.20 |
| TFU | KUL | 10.2 | 9.5 | 8.8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 03.14 - 03.20 |
| TFU | PEN | 14.7 | 12.8 | 11.8 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 03.14 - 03.20 |
Beijing Capital International Airport to Kuala Lumpur International
Airport: Estimated transit time 1-2 days. Serving airline: China Eastern Airlines
(MU). Air freight rates are MYR 4.6 per kilogram for weights between 45KG and 1000KG.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur International
Airport: Estimated transit time 3-5 days. Serving airline: Thai Airways (TG). Air
freight rates vary based on weight:
Over 45KG: MYR 10.2 per kilogram
Over 100KG: MYR 9.5 per kilogram
Over 300KG: MYR 8.8 per kilogram
Over 500KG: MYR 6.5 per kilogram
Over 1000KG: MYR 6.5 per kilogram
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport to Penang International Airport: Estimated
transit time 3-5 days. Serving airline: Thai Airways (TG). Air freight rates vary based on
weight:
Above 45KG: MYR 14.7
Above 100KG: MYR 12.8
Above 300KG: MYR 11.8
Above 500KG: MYR 9.5
Above 1000KG: MYR 9.5
Note: Above rates are for reference only and may not reflect actual costs.
Actual air freight costs can vary due to factors such as cargo nature, flight distance, fuel
price fluctuations, and airline pricing strategies.
Volumetric Weight Calculation for Air Freight
1 cubic meter = 167 kg
(Length * Width * Height) / 6000 = kgs (Length, width, and height in cm) These two volumetric
weight calculation formulas are the universally accepted standards among all airlines worldwide.
For example, if you are shipping a package that measures 120cm x 100cm x 100cm and weighs 90kg,
the logistics company will not charge you based on the actual weight (90kg). Due to the
package's size and the space it occupies, the chargeable weight needs to be calculated.
By express volumetric weight (express): 120cm x 100cm x 100cm / 5000 = 240 kgs
By airline volumetric weight (air freight): 120cm x 100cm x 100cm / 6000 = 200 kgs
Since 200 kgs > 90kg, the volumetric weight will be used for billing.
Malaysia Air Freight Service
OverviewOur Malaysia air freight service offers both general cargo and sensitive goods door-to-door delivery. We provide two service options: duty-paid and duty-unpaid.
Rate Table| Malaysia Air Freight Services - RMB Pricing（duty-unpaid） | ||||||||||
| Cargo Type |
Base Weight 0.5KG |
Additional
Weight 0.5kg |
11KG+ | 45KG+ | 100KG+ | 500KG+ | 1000KG+ | Volumetric Weight | Estimated Delivery Time | |
| West Malaysia General Cargo (Economy) | Suitable for single-category commercial goods, size limit 120*80*80CM. Pallets and oversized boxes not accepted. | 14.0 | 14.0 | 13.5 | 13.5 | Calculated based on dimensional weight (length x width x height / 6000) | 4-5 business days | |||
| West Malaysia General Cargo Standard | 25.0 | 8.5 | 15.0 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 14.0 | 14.0 | Calculated based on dimensional weight (length x width x height / 6000), with a density factor of 0.5 applied | 2-4 business days | |
| West Malaysia Internal Electrical Standard | 30.0 | 10.5 | 21.0 | 20.5 | 20.5 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 3-5 business days | ||
| West Malaysia Sensitive | 35.0 | 11.5 | 22.5 | 22.0 | 22.0 | 21.5 | 21.5 | 3-5 business days | ||
| East Malaysia General Cargo Standard | 35.0 | 17.0 | 34.5 | 34.5 | 33.5 | 33.0 | 32.5 | 4-6 business days | ||
| East Malaysia Sensitive Standard | 38.0 | 18.0 | 36.0 | 36.0 | 35.0 | 34.5 | 34.0 | 4-6 business days | ||
| West Malaysia Hong Kong Delivery | 100.0 | 17.5 | 26.0 | 24.5 | 24.5 | 22.5 | 22.5 | 3-5 business days | ||
| East Malaysia Hong Kong Delivery | 135.0 | 27.0 | 48.0 | 47.5 | 44.0 | 42.0 | 40.0 | 5-7 business days | ||
| Malaysia Air Freight Services - RMB Pricing（duty-paid） | |||||||||
| Cargo Type |
Base Weight 0.5KG |
Additional
Weight 0.5kg |
11KG+ | 45KG+ | 100KG+ | 500KG+ | 1000KG+ | Volumetric Weight | Estimated Delivery Time |
| West Malaysia General Cargo (Economy) | Suitable for single-category commercial goods, size limit 120*80*80CM. Pallets and oversized boxes not accepted. | 14.5 | 14.5 | 14.0 | 14.0 | Calculated based on dimensional weight (length x width x height / 6000) | 4-5 business days | ||
| West Malaysia General Cargo Standard | 26.0 | 9.0 | 15.5 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 14.5 | 14.5 | Calculated based on dimensional weight (length x width x height / 6000), with a density factor of 0.5 applied | 2-4 business days |
| West Malaysia Internal Electrical Standard | 32.0 | 11.0 | 21.5 | 21.0 | 21.0 | 20.5 | 20.5 | 3-5 business days | |
| West Malaysia Sensitive Standard | 38.0 | 12.0 | 23.0 | 22.5 | 22.5 | 22.0 | 22.0 | 3-5 business days | |
| East Malaysia General Cargo Standard | 38.0 | 18.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 | 34.5 | 34.0 | 33.5 | 4-6 business days | |
| East Malaysia Sensitive Standard | 42.0 | 19.5 | 37.0 | 37.0 | 36.0 | 35.5 | 35.0 | 4-6 business days | |
| West Malaysia Hong Kong Delivery | 110.0 | 19.5 | 26.5 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 3-5 business days | |
| East Malaysia Hong Kong Delivery | 145.0 | 29.0 | 50.0 | 49.5 | 46.0 | 44.0 | 41.0 | 5-7 business days | |
Postal codes from 87*** to 999** belong to East Malaysia, and others belong to West Malaysia.
General Cargo Examples:
Clothing: Shirts, dresses, jeans, pajamas (without brands pke Nike, Chanel)
Electronics Accessories: Plugs, data cables, screen protectors
Phone Accessories: Phone cases, tempered glass
Household Items: Rugs, cups, umbrellas
Baby Products: Strollers, battery-free toys, baby bottles
Sports & Outdoor Equipment: Protective gear, fishing equipment
Books: No repgious, poptical, violent, or pornographic content
Sensitive Cargo Examples:
Items with batteries, Food, Cosmetics, Liquids, Powders, Branded products
Shipping Costs from China to Malaysia
When it comes to international express shipping from China to Malaysia, companies like DHL, UPS, and FedEx are popular choices. While these services offer fast delivery times, typically within 5-7 business days, they can be relatively expensive, especially for smaller shipments.
DHL Hong Kong to Malaysia Freight Rate Table
(Large Parcels)
| Weight (kg) | Price (MVR) |
| 31.0 -49.0 | 17.6 |
| 50.0 -69.0 | 17.6 |
| 70.0 -99.0 | 16.2 |
| 100.0 -199.0 | 13.9 |
| 200.0 -299.0 | 13.9 |
| 300.0 -499.0 | 13.9 |
| 500.0 or above | 13.9 |
DHL Hong Kong to Maldives Volume Weight Restrictions
Parcels with a single side length of 120cm or more will incur an oversize charge of 570
RMB per piece.
Parcels with a weight (actual or volumetric) exceeding 70kg will incur an overweight
handling fee of 855 RMB per piece.
Additional fuel surcharges may apply.
DHL Hong Kong Prohibited Items
DHL Hong Kong does not accept the following for shipment:
Single shipment weight exceeding 300kg
Total shipment weight exceeding 3000kg (shipments over 1000kg require booking)
Single side length exceeding 300cm
Items must be properly packaged. Naked or irregularly shaped packages are not accepted.
DHL Shipping Time from China to Malaysia
Estimated delivery time from China to Malaysia via DHL is 5-7 business days.
FedEx Shipping Rates from China to Malaysia
(for large shipments )
| Weight (KG) | Price (MGA) |
| 21-44KG | 7.5 |
| 45-70KG | 7.5 |
| 71-99KG | 7.3 |
| 100-299KG | 5.8 |
| 300-499KG | 5.8 |
| 500-999KG | 5.8 |
| 1000KG or above | 5.8 |
Dimensional Weight Restrictions for FedEx shipments to the Maldives:
No single package can exceed 67KG.
No single side can exceed 274CM.
The sum of the longest side and the girth (twice the sum of the width and height) cannot
exceed 330CM.
Estimated delivery time for FedEx shipments from China to the Maldives: 4-6
days.
UPS Shipping Rates from China to Malaysia
(for large shipments)
| Weight (KG) | Price (MVR) |
| 27-44 | 9.9 |
| 45-70 | 9.8 |
| 71-99 | 9.3 |
| 100-299 | 9.1 |
| 300-499 | 8.3 |
| 500-999 | 8.3 |
| ＞1000 | 8.3 |
UPS will refuse any shipment exceeding any of the following limits (Oversized Surcharge: 2070 RMB/piece):
Longest side (length) of any package exceeds 270 cm.
The sum of the length, twice the width, and twice the height of any package exceeds 400 cm.
The chargeable weight of any package exceeds 70 kg.
Estimated depvery time for UPS shipments from China to Malaysia: 6-8 days.
Shipping charges are calculated based on the greater of the actual weight and the
dimensional weight. For multiple packages, the dimensional weight of each package is
calculated individually, and the total dimensional weight is the sum of all the
individual dimensional weights. Dimensional weight is calculated using the formula:
(Length x Width x Height in cm) / 5000 = kg.
Example: You have three packages to ship to Malaysia. The actual
weights of the packages are 10.2kg, 20.3kg, and 30.4kg, respectively. The corresponding
dimensional weights are 8.2kg, 15.1kg, and 40.5kg. Comparing the actual and dimensional
weights, the chargeable weight is 10.5kg + 20.5kg + 40.5kg = 71.5kg.
Which shipping method is the cheapest for a 55kg package to Malaysia?
DHL: $17.6 per kg, total cost: $968
FedEx: $7.5 per kg, total cost: $412.5
UPS: $9.8 per kg, total cost: $539
Since $412.5 is less than $968 and $539, FedEx is the cheapest option for shipping a
55kg package to Malaysia.