Did you know that Malaysia used to be a dumping ground for various types of waste from western countries? This issue has been raised in the Malaysian Parliament for some time, and recently, the country's laws have been updated to ban the import of the material.
The Malaysian government today announced that it will now completely ban the import of electronic waste (e-waste) starting April 1, 2026, making it an absolute prohibited item under the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order.
Director-General of the Customs Department, Datuk Amran Ahmad said the move was in line with the decision made during the Special Task Force Meeting on the Direction of Management Enforcement of the Import of Plastic Waste and E-Waste No. 2 of 2026.
“The enforcement of this ban will be implemented comprehensively at all entry points into the country and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) will not compromise on any attempt to illegally bring in e-waste.”.
The JKDM will also collaborate with other government bodies such as the Department of Environment and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency to ensure that this waste does not enter the country's borders by any means.
