| Factor | 🇨🇳 China | 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Rank | #1 | #17 |
| Annual US Imports | $427B | $50B |
| Trade Agreement | None | GSP (partial) |
| Avg Duty Rate | 19.3% (incl. Section 301) | 2.1% average MFN |
| Section 301 | ⚠ Applies | ✓ None |
| Section 232 (Steel/Alum) | 25% on steel, 10% on aluminum | 25% steel, 10% aluminum Sectio |
| Compliance Complexity | ⚠ Very High Complexity | ● Medium Complexity |
Trade Agreement: No FTA
MFN Status: Normal Trade Relations (NTR)
Section 301 additional duties of 7.5%–25% apply to virtually all product categories. UFLPA rebuttable presumption applies to Xinjiang goods.
Full China Profile →Trade Agreement: GSP eligible (select products)
MFN Status: MFN/GSP Eligible
Semiconductor supply chain complexity. UFLPA forced-labor concerns for goods made with inputs from Xinjiang. Palm oil CVD risk.
Full Malaysia Profile →The right sourcing decision depends on your product category, shipment volume, and tolerance for compliance complexity. Here's what you need to know:
Malaysia benefits from the GSP (partial) trade agreement, potentially eliminating duties on qualifying goods. China has no comparable FTA benefit.
Goods from China face Section 301 additional duties of Lists 1–4A: 7.5%–25% on most goods, significantly increasing costs. Malaysia is not subject to Section 301, making it substantially cheaper for most product categories.
General tariff comparisons are useful, but the real answer depends on your specific product, shipment size, freight costs, and current exchange rates. Use our landed cost calculator to compare both origins with actual numbers.
Enter your product details to see a full duty + freight + fees breakdown for China vs Malaysia side-by-side.
Tariff comparisons sourced from USITC HTS Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists as of 2026-04-05. Country of origin rules, Section 301 product lists, and trade agreement applicability change frequently. Verify all rates before making sourcing decisions. AI-assisted analysis — not legal or customs advice.