Market brief

Malaysia

98% of people online, and e-commerce projected at $25 billion in 2026.

Malaysia’s digital economy is projected at $48 billion GMV in 2026, with e-commerce at $25 billion, up from $17 billion in 2024. Since January 2024, imported low-value goods sold online carry a 10% sales tax.

Peacroft does not currently operate in Malaysia. This brief summarises public sources to start a conversation. It is not investment, legal or tax advice.

Location of Malaysia. Map: Natural Earth (public domain), simplified.

Digital indicators

$48B
digital economy GMV1
2026e · Gross merchandise value, publisher’s estimate for 2026.
$25B
e-commerce GMV1
2026e
98.0%
of people use the internet2
2024
88.7%
of adults have an account3
2024 · Age 15+, at a bank, other financial institution or mobile money provider.

Online commerce

E-commerce GMV: $17 billion in 2024, $21 billion in 2025 and a projected $25 billion in 2026.1
From 1 January 2024, a 10% sales tax applies to low-value goods (up to RM500) sold online and brought into Malaysia. Sellers with such sales above RM500,000 a year must register.4

What’s changing

QR payments between Malaysia and Singapore have been linked since March 2023.6
Data protection is tightening: many businesses must appoint a Data Protection Officer, a requirement in force since 1 June 2025.5

Opportunities

Near-universal internet use (98.0%) and high account ownership (88.7%).2 3
E-commerce is projected to grow by about half between 2024 and 2026.1

Challenges

Sales tax and registration for overseas sellers of low-value goods.4
Personal data rules may require a Data Protection Officer.5

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Sources

e-Conomy SEA 2026: Malaysia country report(opens in a new tab)Google, Temasek and Bain & Company · Published 21 October 2026 · Accessed 14 November 2026
Individuals using the Internet (% of population)(opens in a new tab)World Bank, World Development Indicators (data from ITU) · Published 11 November 2026 · Accessed 14 November 2026
Account ownership (% age 15+)(opens in a new tab)World Bank, Global Findex Database 2025 · Published 2025 · Accessed 14 November 2026
Sales tax on imported low value goods sold online (press release)(opens in a new tab)Ministry of Finance Malaysia · Published 18 December 2023 · Accessed 14 November 2026
Frequently asked questions: Data Protection Officer(opens in a new tab)Personal Data Protection Commissioner, Malaysia · Published 2025 · Accessed 14 November 2026
Cross-border payment linkages(opens in a new tab)Monetary Authority of Singapore · Published 2026 · Accessed 14 November 2026

Sources checked: 14 November 2026