Electronic vessel manifests: prepare for 1 January 2027

What changes and when?

Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia (JKDM) has issued a 19 October 2026 circular on electronic inward and outward vessel manifests. Dagang Net distributed the notice on 21 October. Full mandatory enforcement begins on 1 January 2027. Shipping agents and forwarders should review documentation cut-offs now, rather than wait until January. The statutory 24-hour rule does not replace an earlier carrier shipping-instruction or manifest cut-off, including a carrier’s 48-hour requirement; confirm both deadlines for your shipment.

What are the submission periods?

Complete inward manifests must be submitted electronically at least 24 hours before vessel arrival under Section 52(1) of the Customs Act 1967. Complete outward manifests must be submitted at least 24 hours before departure under Section 57. The quoted statutory provisions allow a shorter period determined by the Director General and exclude local craft from the relevant vessel obligations. Confirm any applicable exception with JKDM and the service operator.

What applies during the transition?

The transition uses soft enforcement and system adjustments. Implementation dates for Sabah and Sarawak will be announced separately; the 1 January date must not be presented as a confirmed start date for those states.

What should West Malaysian businesses review?

For shipments through Pelabuhan Klang and other Peninsular Malaysian ports, review manifest preparation, shipping instructions, vessel ETA/ETD cut-offs, handovers between shippers and agents, and submission acknowledgements. Set internal deadlines early enough for complete information and corrections. These are practical planning considerations, not evidence of actual cargo delays.

What does this notice not mean?

This is an electronic submission and enforcement notice, not a port closure or cargo suspension announcement. It does not establish a new port operating system, road-haulage rate change or trucking restriction. It is also separate from any Customs Form K4 Agent Code Z validation postponement.