PUTRAJAYA, April 1 — The importation of electronic waste (e-waste) into Malaysia has officially been gazetted as an absolutely prohibited item under the First Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023.

This follows the Federal Government Gazette of the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order (Amendment) (No. 3) 2026 (P.U.(A) 151/2026), which came into effect today.

The gazetting was made pursuant to Subsection 31(1) of the Customs Act 1967 (Act 235).

Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Director-General Datuk Amran Ahmad said the move aligns with decisions made during the Special Task Force Meeting on the Direction of Management Enforcement of Plastic Waste and E-Waste Importation No. 2 of 2026.

“This measure is part of ongoing efforts to tighten control over the entry of hazardous waste into the country and to safeguard the environment,” he said in a statement today.

He added that JKDM will continue to enhance strategic cooperation with relevant agencies, particularly the Department of Environment (DOE) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), as well as other enforcement bodies such as the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).

The collaboration aims to ensure strict and effective enforcement of the ban on scheduled waste imports, especially e-waste, in line with Malaysia’s commitments under the Basel Convention.

Malaysia has been a party to the Basel Convention since Oct 8, 1993, with the Department of Environment designated as the competent authority for its implementation in the country. — Bernama