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The Kuala Lumpur skyline with the Petronas Towers at dusk
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Market brief

Malaysia

98% of people online, and e-commerce projected at $25 billion in 2026.

Malaysia’s digital economy is projected at $48 billion GMV in 2026, with e-commerce at $25 billion, up from $17 billion in 2024. Since January 2024, imported low-value goods sold online carry a 10% sales tax.

Peacroft does not currently operate in Malaysia. This brief summarises public sources to start a conversation. It is not investment, legal or tax advice.

Kuala Lumpur
Location of Malaysia. Map: Natural Earth (public domain), simplified.

Digital indicators

Online commerce

  • E-commerce GMV: $17 billion in 2024, $21 billion in 2025 and a projected $25 billion in 2026.1
  • From 1 January 2024, a 10% sales tax applies to low-value goods (up to RM500) sold online and brought into Malaysia. Sellers with such sales above RM500,000 a year must register.4
  • QR payments between Malaysia and Singapore have been linked since March 2023.6
  • Data protection is tightening: many businesses must appoint a Data Protection Officer, a requirement in force since 1 June 2025.5

Opportunities

  • Near-universal internet use (98.0%) and high account ownership (88.7%).23
  • E-commerce is projected to grow by about half between 2024 and 2026.1

Challenges

  • Sales tax and registration for overseas sellers of low-value goods.4
  • Personal data rules may require a Data Protection Officer.5

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Sources

  1. e-Conomy SEA 2026: Malaysia country report(opens in a new tab)Google, Temasek and Bain & Company · Published 21 October 2026 · Accessed 14 November 2026
  2. Individuals using the Internet (% of population)(opens in a new tab)World Bank, World Development Indicators (data from ITU) · Published 11 November 2026 · Accessed 14 November 2026
  3. Account ownership (% age 15+)(opens in a new tab)World Bank, Global Findex Database 2025 · Published 2025 · Accessed 14 November 2026
  4. Sales tax on imported low value goods sold online (press release)(opens in a new tab)Ministry of Finance Malaysia · Published 18 December 2023 · Accessed 14 November 2026
  5. Frequently asked questions: Data Protection Officer(opens in a new tab)Personal Data Protection Commissioner, Malaysia · Published 2025 · Accessed 14 November 2026
  6. Cross-border payment linkages(opens in a new tab)Monetary Authority of Singapore · Published 2026 · Accessed 14 November 2026

Sources checked: