Search tenders
Made here

The twenty imports Malaysia is best placed to replace.

Malaysia imported USD 209bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 269bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 11bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
271products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
711products Malaysia already exports well
1664product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Malaysia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Malaysia would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Malaysia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens: of liquid crystals, with drivers or...HS 852491

    Comes fromChina 88%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectronic integrated circuits: memories (exports USD 5.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 116m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 310m
    Countries that export it well6

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 425m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); China supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 425mdown 10% on 2022
  2. 2

    Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713

    Comes fromChina 72%, 54 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHeadphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone... (exports USD 500m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 416m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 41m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 2.5bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 2.5bnup 111% on 2022
  3. 3

    Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellersHS 841191

    Comes fromUnited States 67%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical machines and apparatus: having individual functions, not... (exports USD 2.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 456m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.4bn
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); United States supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 1.2bnfrom USD 181m in 2022
  4. 4

    Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsionHS 870380

    Comes fromChina 71%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.2bn
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 929m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 929mup 376% on 2022
  5. 5

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectorsHS 854442

    Comes fromChina 60%, 89 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: co-axial cable and other co-axial... (exports USD 123m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 348m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 571m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 647m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); China supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 647mup 34% on 2022
  6. 6

    Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612

    Comes fromChina 67%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, of a width less than 600mm... (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 64m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 81m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 429m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 429mdown 12% on 2022
  7. 7

    Copper: foil, backed with paper, paperboard, plastics or similar backing material, of a thickness (excluding any...HS 741022

    Comes fromUnited States 41%, 83 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: powders of lamellar structure, flakes (exports USD 299m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 11m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 390m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); United States supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 390mup 447% on 2022
  8. 8

    Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structureHS 842952

    Comes fromChina 51%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 14m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 129m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 353m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); China supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 353mdown 4% on 2022
  9. 9

    Products containing nicotine, other than tobacco or reconstituted tobacco, intended for inhalation without combustionHS 240412

    Comes fromChina 99%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 27m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 16m
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 333m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 333mup 17% on 2022
  10. 10

    Electric generating sets: with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel...HS 850213

    Comes fromChina 85%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachinery: for the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed... (exports USD 320m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 17m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 93m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 319m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 319mup 451% on 2022
  11. 11

    Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids: n.e.c. in heading no. 2841HS 284190

    Comes fromSouth Korea 84%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Countries that export it well3

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 265m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); South Korea supplies 84 per cent (2).

    USD 265mdown 28% on 2022
  12. 12

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromChina 62%, 62 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHeadgear: (other than safety headgear), (of materials other than... (exports USD 52m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 29m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 76m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 211m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 211mup 20% on 2022
  13. 13

    Compressors: of a kind used in refrigerating equipmentHS 841430

    Comes fromChina 67%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRadio-broadcast receivers not capable of operating without an... (exports USD 476m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 83m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 648m
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 199m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 199mdown 4% on 2022
  14. 14

    Electrical resistors: variable, including rheostats and potentiometers (excluding heating)HS 853340

    Comes fromSingapore 62%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical resistors: fixed, for a power handling capacity not... (exports USD 170m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 56m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 116m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); Singapore supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 116mup 14% on 2022
  15. 15

    Mollusc preparations: abalone, prepared or preservedHS 160557

    Comes fromChina 95%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 171m
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 106m, top 19 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 106mup 397% on 2022
  16. 16

    Vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels, complete with cases: parts thereof other than glass innersHS 961700

    Comes fromChina 97%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 44m
    Countries that export it well4

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 97m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); China supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 97mup 91% on 2022
  17. 17

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not...HS 870431

    Comes fromThailand 99%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 334k; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 753m
    Countries that export it well7

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 86m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Thailand supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 86mup 118% on 2022
  18. 18

    Vehicles: parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat beltsHS 870829

    Comes fromThailand 44%, 73 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 133m; 13 more lines in the heading, USD 3.3bn
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 945m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Thailand supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 945mdown 19% on 2022
  19. 19

    Ethers: acyclic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, other than diethyl etherHS 290919

    Comes fromChina 44%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAlcohols: saturated monohydric, butanols excluding item no. 2905.13 (exports USD 77m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 33m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 19m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 766m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 766mup 3% on 2022
  20. 20

    Electrical inductors: n.e.c. in heading no. 8504HS 850450

    Comes fromChina 38%, 61 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMonitors other than cathode-ray tube: n.e.c. in subheading 8528.52... (exports USD 335m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 206m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 344m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 334m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Malaysia's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2).

    USD 334mup 35% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Malaysia already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Electronic integrated circuits: memories imports USD 10bn, exports USD 5.2bn, top source Singapore 35%
  • Parts of electronic integrated circuits imports USD 4.7bn, exports USD 2.0bn, top source United States 26%
  • Circuits: printed imports USD 2.6bn, exports USD 960m, top source China 45%
  • Units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50... imports USD 2.8bn, exports USD 2.1bn, top source Taiwan 41%
  • Chemical elements: doped for use in electronics, in the form of discs, wafers... imports USD 943m, exports USD 337m, top source China 24%
  • Rubber: synthetic, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), latex, in primary... imports USD 492m, exports USD 67m, top source South Korea 66%
  • Electrical apparatus: parts for diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor... imports USD 1.1bn, exports USD 745m, top source Singapore 21%
  • Pharmaceutical goods: placebos and blinded (or double-blinded) clinical trial... imports USD 466m, exports USD 97m, top source India 18%
  • Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having... imports USD 668m, exports USD 396m, top source United States 54%
  • Aluminium: powders of lamellar structure, flakes imports USD 275m, exports USD 109m, top source United States 65%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1664 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

Want the Malaysia edition kept current?

Leave an address and each new edition comes to you as the record moves. Tick the box if you would want the next layer for Malaysia: which public bodies buy each line, once that record is readable.

Your address is used to send this list and its later editions, nothing else. Privacy

What Malaysia buys, and from whom: the trade lanes into Malaysia.

Run a company? Check it against the developments BuzzBaboon follows, free.