Bilateral Agreements & Import Controls
Bilateral Agreements & Import Controls
Bilateral Agreements & Import Controls
Malaysia regulates cross-border trade with Indonesia through two key agreements:
Border Crossing Agreement (1967)
Border Trade Agreement (1967)
In Sarawak, sawntimber from Indonesia can only enter through five approved checkpoints:
Tebedu, Biawak, Lubok Antu, Batu Lintang, and Sematan.
Malaysia also bans the import of Indonesian round logs since 2002, in support of Indonesia’s forest protection efforts.
Joint Enforcement & Dialogue
Despite practical challenges along the long and porous border, both countries:
Conduct joint customs operations
Participate in regional forums, like the Pan-ASEAN Timber Certification Initiative
Hold regular government-to-government dialogues on timber trade issues
Strict Import Procedures
To prevent illegal timber from entering Malaysia, all imported logs and timber products must be accompanied by:
Valid documents and permits •
Certificates of origin •
Phytosanitary documents •
Verification by authorised agencies •
To prevent illegal timber from entering Malaysia, all imported logs and timber products must be accompanied by:
• Valid documents and permits
• Certificates of origin
• Phytosanitary documents
• Verification by authorised agencies
These are overseen by multiple enforcement bodies, including:
- Forestry Departments (Peninsular, Sabah & Sarawak)
- Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC)
- Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB)
- Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC)
- Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)
