AskBiz Blog

ASEAN Trade

2 AskBiz guides on ASEAN trade, covering Free Trade Zones, Import Duty and related operating decisions for SME founders.

2
guides
10
min total reading
13
related topics
1

ASEAN Free Trade Zones: Iskandar (Malaysia), Batam (Indonesia) = 0% Duty If You Know the Rules

Singapore manufacturer importing components from China: normal route = 15% duty on SGD 200K = SGD 30K duty/year. Route through Iskandar FTZ (Malaysia): components enter Malaysia FTZ duty-free, processed/assembled, exported to Singapore under ASEAN CEPT = 0% duty. Saving: SGD 30K/year. But: must have genuine manufacturing activity in FTZ (not just transshipment = illegal). Setup cost: SGD 80K (lease, permits). Payback: 2.7 years.

5 min read
2

ASEAN Tariff: Goods From Singapore vs China vs Vietnam = 0% vs 15% Duty

Retailer imports electronics. From Singapore (ASEAN origin): 0% duty on SGD 100K = duty SGD 0. From China (non-ASEAN): 15% duty = duty SGD 15K. Savings: SGD 15K per shipment. 12 shipments/year = SGD 180K savings. But: ASEAN origin certification required (supplier must have ASEAN Certificate of Origin). Most SMBs don't know this exists.

5 min read

Other ASEAN topics

ASEAN Logistics (3)ASEAN Retail (6)ASEAN Finance (2)ASEAN Restaurant (3)ASEAN Manufacturing (1)ASEAN Salon (1)ASEAN Repair (1)ASEAN Factory (1)ASEAN Payroll (1)ASEAN Tax (1)ASEAN Payments (1)ASEAN Workforce (1)ASEAN Compliance (1)