The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) will soon formalise a Joint Arrangement (JA) on the Electronic Data Exchange of Certificates of Origin (COs) under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The signing is slated for November 2025.
Under the first phase, Malaysia will begin a one-way live exchange of electronic data for Form E (ACFTA) and RCEP Certificates of Origin from Malaysia to China starting January 2026. The initiative will be conducted via Malaysia’s National Single Window (NSW), which will be linked to China’s Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES).
MITI said the move demonstrates both nations’ commitment to strengthening bilateral trade ties, improving efficiency and transparency in the origin verification process, and enhancing Malaysia’s competitiveness among China’s key trading partners.
The new system is expected to shorten document transmission time, speed up verification, and bolster data security to prevent certificate misuse. It will also support customs compliance, duty collection accuracy, and the correct application of tariff rates under both trade agreements.
MITI added that the adoption of electronic data exchange is part of its broader effort to leverage digitalisation in trade facilitation, in line with the Madani Economy: Empowering the People framework. The ministry said this collaboration underscores Malaysia’s commitment to advancing free trade as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth.
