Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Malaysia

Asia · 13 port guides

In 2025 the United States exported $28.7 billion of goods to Malaysia and imported $59.5 billion from there. Malaysia ranked 20th among US export markets and 16th among sources of US imports.

Request a rate quote (757) 857-4141
35 ports in Malaysia recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$28.7BUp 3.7% on 2024 ($27.7 billion)
US imports, 2025
$59.5BUp 14.1% on 2024 ($52.2 billion)
Goods balance
$30.8BUS deficit
Export market rank
20thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
16thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Malaysia

Electrical machinery and equipment (chapter 85) led US exports to Malaysia at $10.6 billion, 37% of the total. The top three chapters made up 66%.

  1. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$10.6 billion36.8%
  2. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$5.0 billion17.5%
  3. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$3.3 billion11.4%
  4. 27Mineral fuels and oils$1.6 billion5.6%
  5. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$1.3 billion4.4%

US imports from Malaysia

Electrical machinery and equipment (chapter 85) led US imports from Malaysia at $30.7 billion, 52% of the total. The top three chapters made up 77%.

  1. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$30.7 billion51.6%
  2. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$11.1 billion18.6%
  3. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$4.3 billion7.3%
  4. 40Rubber$2.0 billion3.3%
  5. 94Furniture, bedding and lighting$1.7 billion2.9%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Malaysia, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Malaysia requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Malaysia.

Exports through the port, 2025
$473.7M1.7% of the US total with Malaysia
Leading export goods
Oil seeds, grains and fodderHS chapter 12, $130.0 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$1.8B3.1% of the US total with Malaysia
Leading import goods
Machinery and mechanical appliancesHS chapter 84, $1.0 billion

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in Malaysia

13 ports in Malaysia have a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index. In the index, Port Klang records the deepest cargo pier of them, at 17.1 m.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for Malaysia: Bakapit, Bintangor, Kemaman Harbor, Kirteh Oil Terminal, Kuala Trengganu, Kuantan New Port, Kudat, Lumut, Lutong, Malong Marine Terminal, Melaka, Mostyn, Muar, Pelabuhan Bass, Pelabuhan Sungai Udang, Port Langkawi, Sapangar Bay, Sarikei, Sibu, Tapis Marine Terminal A, Teluk Anson and Tg. Mani.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.