China and Malaysia have frequent trade exchanges, and the shipping time directly affects the efficiency of the supply chain and customer satisfaction. It is one of the key issues that customers are concerned about. This article will introduce the shipping time from China to Malaysia in detail.
Geographical location of Malaysia
Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia, far away from China. It is located on the coast of the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, bordering the Philippines to the east, Singapore to the south, and Thailand to the west. As an important trade and logistics hub, Malaysia attracts a large number of international trade and cargo transportation activities.
Shipping from China to Malaysia requires overcoming the challenges of long distance and sea transportation. However, due to the cooperation between the two countries and the development of the logistics network, this process has become more convenient and efficient.
How to Ship from China to Malaysia
The difference in logistics time between China and Malaysia depends primarily on the choice of transportation mode. The current mainstream transportation modes include sea transportation and air transportation.
Air Freight
If you need to quickly transport goods from China to Malaysia, air transportation is the best choice. When encountering urgent transactions, we usually need fast delivery. Although air transportation to Malaysia may cost more than sea transportation, it can ensure fast delivery.
Generally, air freight to Malaysia is suitable for time-sensitive goods, such as perishables, emergency supplies, or items with strict deadlines. Due to certain restrictions, not all goods are suitable for air freight, such as oversized goods or dangerous goods.
Sea Freight
Ocean freight is the most economical way to transport goods from China to Malaysia. Many customers choose ocean freight because it is the lowest cost. Since the distance between China and Malaysia is relatively short, the time for ocean freight to Malaysia is also reasonable. Ocean freight to Malaysia is not only economical, but also has other advantages: it can handle almost all types of goods and provides large-scale transportation capabilities. More than 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea.
The most common ways to ship to Malaysia by sea include full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL).
- Full container shipping (FCL): This method is suitable for loading a container exclusively for the goods of the same customer. It has the advantage of cost-effectiveness.
- Less than container shipping (LCL): This method allows multiple customers to share a container and deliver the goods to a designated location. However, since LCL shipping involves additional work such as warehousing, consolidation, devanning, and document processing, the shipping time may also be longer.
Factors Affecting of Shipping Time from China to Malaysia
In international logistics, although the mode of transportation determines the approximate timeliness range, the actual arrival time will also be affected by a variety of external factors.
- Differences in port or airport efficiency: Some ports have slow processing speeds and severe congestion, which may lead to delayed loading.
- Customs clearance speed: Incomplete customs declaration documents, incorrect commodity coding, abnormal goods, etc. will cause customs clearance detention.
- Holidays and peak transportation periods: Chinese Spring Festival, National Day, and Malaysia’s Eid al-Fitr, New Year, etc. will cause shipment or customs clearance delays
- Weather and natural factors: Extreme weather such as typhoons, heavy rains, and floods can affect port operations or flight takeoffs and landings.
Shipping Time from China to Malaysia
The time efficiency of shipping from China to Malaysia varies from different ports and airports. The following is the time efficiency of shipping from China to Malaysia on different routes:
Sea Freight Time from China to Malaysia
Sea freight is one of the most common ways for China to export to Malaysia. It usually takes 7–14 days for sea freight to arrive from Chinese ports (such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Ningbo) to major ports in Malaysia. Major ports in Malaysia:
- Port Klang: Malaysia’s largest port, largest container port, most active port for import and export trade, covering more than 70% of the country’s cargo circulation.
- Penang Port: Closely connected to the regional market, specializing in containers and bulk cargo.
- Johor Port: Excellent import location, close to Singapore, serving all walks of life.
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Malaysia) | Shipping days |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Klang | 7–14 days |
| Shenzhen | Klang | 8–13 days |
| Ningbo | Klang | 7–13 days |
| Shanghai | Penang | 8–14 days |
| Shenzhen | Penang | 7–14 days |
| Ningbo | Penang | 9–13 days |
| Shanghai | Johor | 7–14 days |
| Shenzhen | Johor | 8–13 days |
| Ningbo | Johor | 7–13 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Malaysia
Air transport is one of the fastest international transport methods. It usually takes only 1-3 working days to fly from major Chinese airports (such as Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Baoan, Shanghai Pudong) to major airports in Malaysia.
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL/KLIA): Malaysia’s main air transport port, receiving most of China’s air cargo, with dense flights, complete facilities, and multiple logistics parks.
- Penang International Airport (PEN): Mainly serves the northern part of Malaysia, suitable for local industrial products or small and medium-sized e-commerce companies.
- Johor Bahru Senai International Airport (JHB): Johor area, close to Singapore, suitable for southern Malaysian customers, convenient connection.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Malaysia) | Shipping days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Kuala Lumpur | 2-4 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Kuala Lumpur | 1-3 days |
| Beijing Capital | Kuala Lumpur | 2-3 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Penang | 2-4 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Penang | 1-3 days |
| Beijing Capital | Penang | 2-3 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Johor Bahru Senai | 2-4 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Johor Bahru Senai | 1-3 days |
| Beijing Capital | Johor Bahru Senai | 1-3 days |
Read below for shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Singapore
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Thailand
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Indonesia
How to Improve of Shipping Time from China to Malaysia
To ensure that the goods are delivered to Malaysia efficiently, safely and in time, it is recommended to optimize from the following aspects:
Choose a suitable mode of transportation
Urgent goods should be shipped by air first, heavy goods/large goods should be shipped by full container by sea; e-commerce goods should use dedicated lines or express delivery to improve efficiency;
Prepare goods in advance and avoid peak seasons
Avoid the peak of Spring Festival and Double 11, and arrange loading or booking in advance;
Document preparation specifications
Invoices, packing lists, product names, and customs codes are accurate, and special products should apply for import licenses or certifications in advance;
Choose an experienced freight forwarding company
Familiar with Malaysia’s policies and customs clearance procedures, and can provide DDP one-stop service (including customs clearance and tax);
Real-time tracking and communication
Use a traceable logistics system to keep abreast of the dynamics of goods at any time, and strengthen communication and collaboration with freight forwarders, customs clearance agents and consignees;
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Container from China to Malaysia
Container transport is the most commonly used transport. Understanding the cost of shipping containers from China to Malaysia will help you better plan your transport. Sea freight from China to Malaysia is mainly charged by the size of the container (20ft and 40ft). The following are the costs of shipping from major ports in China to different ports in Malaysia:
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Malaysia) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Klang | $500–$750 | $900–$1200 |
| Shenzhen | Klang | $650–$850 | $900–$1300 |
| Ningbo | Klang | $550–$800 | $950–$1250 |
| Shanghai | Penang | $520 – $750 | $950–$1300 |
| Shenzhen | Penang | $600 – $840 | $900–$1350 |
| Ningbo | Penang | $550 – $850 | $900 – $1450 |
| Shanghai | Gudang | $600 – $800 | $920 – $1340 |
| Shenzhen | Gudang | $550 – $770 | $940 – $1250 |
| Ningbo | Gudang | $530 – $850 | $950 – $1300 |
The time efficiency of shipping from China to Malaysia is affected by multiple factors. By rationally selecting logistics methods, optimizing operation procedures, and planning delivery time in advance, companies can effectively improve overall transportation efficiency and ensure supply chain stability.