Port Klang: Imported containers must be cleared within 3 days since May

From May 1^st , the Malaysian Ministry of Transport has set a three-day deadline for all imported container cargo to be lifted out of the Port Klang yard - from the date of entry to customs clearance. Transport Minister Wei Jiaxiang said this would improve the efficiency of Port Klang and prevent containers from piling up in the yard.

Containers arriving at Port Klang must be cleared and released within 3 days if there is no problem or further inspection is required. The new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which will come into effect on May 1^st, 2022, covers the detention, inspection and release of containers in Port Klang by law enforcement agencies and other government agencies or port authorities.

Malaysian Transport Minister Wei Jiaxiang said at a press conference after chairing a meeting of the National Logistics Working Group in Putrajaya a few days ago that there had been no specific time or limit for the release of containers, including those that were detained for further inspection, which will cause congestion in Port Klang.

“We never set a time limit on the import container management process before, which resulted in some containers sitting in the yard for up to five years without any importers coming to claim them. Some container owners, including his company, were unable to Tracking," Wei Jiaxiang said at a press conference after chairing a meeting of the National Logistics Working Group. He added that under this new standard operating procedure, the cargo will be inspected by customs officers on the first day after they arrive at the port, and the inspection is reviewed on the second day, and customs clearance must be completed by the third day.

"If the documents are complete and the inspection goes well, customs clearance will only take three days. But if there is a problem and the container must be investigated, the authorities have up to 30 days to complete the customs inspection." Wei Jiaxiang said that the standard operating procedure aims to To strengthen coordination on container management between agencies such as the Royal Malaysian Customs (JKDM) and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service (MAQIS). During this period, authorities can take action against the parties if erroneous or falsely declared cargo are discovered. If the case goes to law, the container will be moved to a designated area to clear the yard to avoid congestion.

"If we don't integrate well, a delay of a day or two will lead to a loss in production." Wei Jiaxiang pointed out that in order to speed up customs clearance, carriers must also play their part and submit all the necessary documents. If the standard operating procedure is successfully implemented in Port Klang, the same measures will be implemented in other ports in Malaysia. This ultimate aim of this measure is to reduce operator costs through fast customs clearance and ensure timely delivery of cargo.