Malaysia Aluminium Export Data – HS Code 7601 | Top Buyers, Global Rank & 12-Year Trends
What Does HS Code 7601 Cover?
HS Code 7601 covers unwrought aluminium — primary metal in the form it leaves the smelter or casthouse, before it is rolled, extruded or shaped. The code includes:
- Pure (unalloyed) aluminium — HS 7601.10, mainly ingots, sows and T-bars of 99.7% purity and above
- Aluminium alloys — HS 7601.20, including billets for extrusion, slabs for rolling and foundry alloy ingots for casting
Finished aluminium products such as bars, profiles, sheets, foil and tubes are classified under later headings (HS 7604–7608), and aluminium scrap falls under HS 7602. That makes HS 7601 the best code for tracking Malaysia's primary aluminium trade.
Malaysia Aluminium Export Data: Key Statistics
Here is a quick snapshot of the latest Malaysia aluminium export data for HS 7601, covering value, rank, top buyer and the trade balance.
| Metric | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| HS 7601 exports (2023) | US$4.35 Billion | ▼ 18.8% vs 2022 |
| Peak export year | US$5.36 Billion | 2021, held almost flat in 2022 |
| Global exporter rank (2023) | #4 | 7.17% of world HS 7601 exports |
| Largest buyer | China | 30% share, US$1.33 billion |
| Rank as China's supplier | #2 | 18.6% of China's HS 7601 imports |
| HS 7601 imports (2023) | US$2.64 Billion | ▲ 58.8% vs 2022 |
| Trade surplus (2023) | +US$1.71 Billion | Exports are 1.65x imports |
Malaysia Aluminium Export Trend: 2012–2023
Twelve years of Malaysia aluminium export data show a country that turned itself into a major supplier. In 2012, Malaysia actually imported more unwrought aluminium than it exported. Exports then climbed steadily — jumping 70.3% in 2016 and passing US$2 billion for the first time in 2017 — as smelting capacity in Sarawak, powered by low-cost hydropower, came fully on stream.
The biggest leap came in 2021, when exports surged 114.8% to US$5.36 billion. Global aluminium prices rose sharply that year as demand rebounded from the pandemic and supply in other regions tightened, and Malaysian smelters were well placed to sell into that market. Exports held at that level in 2022 before easing 18.8% to US$4.35 billion in 2023 as prices cooled. Even so, 2023 exports were still more than double their 2019 level.
| Year | Exports (US$ M) | Change | Imports (US$ M) | Balance (US$ M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 674.9 | — | 899.5 | −224.6 |
| 2013 | 845.5 | +25.3% | 578.9 | +266.6 |
| 2014 | 1,105.6 | +30.8% | 763.4 | +342.2 |
| 2015 | 961.5 | −13.0% | 996.0 | −34.5 |
| 2016 | 1,637.3 | +70.3% | 844.5 | +792.8 |
| 2017 | 2,060.2 | +25.8% | 1,010.1 | +1,050.0 |
| 2018 | 2,319.3 | +12.6% | 1,551.0 | +768.3 |
| 2019 | 2,002.9 | −13.6% | 1,789.4 | +213.5 |
| 2020 | 2,497.5 | +24.7% | 3,032.9 | −535.4 |
| 2021 | 5,363.6 | +114.8% | 1,115.5 | +4,248.1 |
| 2022 | 5,355.8 | −0.1% | 1,660.6 | +3,695.1 |
| 2023 | 4,351.1 | −18.8% | 2,637.0 | +1,714.1 |
Top Buyers of Malaysian Aluminium
Malaysia aluminium export data by destination shows one dominant buyer and a strong second tier. China took 30% of HS 7601 exports in 2023 — about US$1.33 billion. Behind it, six markets each took between 6.8% and 10%: Turkey, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, India and Vietnam. The top 10 buyers together absorbed 87.6% of exports.
| Rank | Buyer Country | Value 2023 (US$) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 1.33 Billion | 30.0% |
| 2 | Turkey | 437 Million | 10.0% |
| 3 | Netherlands | 404 Million | 9.29% |
| 4 | Japan | 321 Million | 7.38% |
| 5 | South Korea | 316 Million | 7.26% |
| 6 | India | 315 Million | 7.26% |
| 7 | Vietnam | 294 Million | 6.76% |
| 8 | Thailand | 172 Million | 3.96% |
| 9 | Indonesia | 132 Million | 3.05% |
| 10 | Spain | 113 Million | 2.60% |
What drives demand in the key markets
- China: the world's largest aluminium user. Chinese processors buy imported primary metal to make sheet, foil and extrusions for construction, packaging, cars and electronics.
- Turkey: a large extrusion and building-products industry that exports aluminium profiles across Europe and the Middle East.
- Netherlands: Europe's main metal trading and warehousing hub — aluminium landed at Rotterdam is redistributed across the EU.
- Japan and South Korea: limited domestic smelting, so they import primary aluminium for automotive, electronics and packaging manufacturing.
- India, Vietnam and Thailand: fast-growing manufacturing bases that need alloy ingots and billets for casting and extrusion.
Malaysia's Rank Among World Aluminium Exporters
Comparing Malaysia aluminium export data with other countries shows how far it has come. World HS 7601 exports exceeded US$60 billion in 2023. Canada led with US$8.08 billion, followed by the UAE and India. Malaysia ranked 4th with US$4.35 billion — ahead of traditional aluminium nations such as Norway, Australia and Iceland, and Gulf producers such as Bahrain and Qatar.
| Rank | Exporter | Exports 2023 (US$) | World Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 8.08 Billion | 13.31% |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates | 6.25 Billion | 10.29% |
| 3 | India | 4.76 Billion | 7.84% |
| 4 | Malaysia | 4.35 Billion | 7.17% |
| 5 | Norway | 3.71 Billion | 6.10% |
| 6 | Australia | 3.43 Billion | 5.65% |
| 7 | Bahrain | 3.32 Billion | 5.47% |
| 8 | Netherlands | 2.15 Billion | 3.53% |
| 9 | Iceland | 2.09 Billion | 3.44% |
| 10 | Qatar | 1.73 Billion | 2.85% |
The China Connection: Malaysia as China's No. 2 Supplier
China imported about US$6.0 billion of unwrought aluminium in 2023. Russia supplied nearly half (47%), but Malaysia was firmly in second place with an 18.6% share worth US$1.12 billion — more than four times the next supplier, Vietnam.
| Rank | Supplier to China | Value 2023 (US$) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 2.82 Billion | 47.0% |
| 2 | Malaysia | 1.12 Billion | 18.6% |
| 3 | Vietnam | 258 Million | 4.30% |
| 4 | India | 242 Million | 4.04% |
| 5 | Thailand | 233 Million | 3.89% |
| 6 | Indonesia | 196 Million | 3.27% |
| 7 | South Korea | 169 Million | 2.82% |
| 8 | Iran | 136 Million | 2.27% |
| 9 | Australia | 122 Million | 2.03% |
| 10 | United Arab Emirates | 79 Million | 1.32% |
Why do the two numbers differ? Malaysia's figures show US$1.33 billion of HS 7601 exports to China, while China's records show US$1.12 billion arriving from Malaysia — a gap of about US$210 million. Differences like this are common: shipments can cross a calendar year in transit, some cargo is routed through third countries, and the two sides may classify certain alloy products slightly differently. Comparing both sides — known as "mirror data" — gives the fullest picture of a trade lane.
Why Malaysia Also Imports Aluminium
Malaysia aluminium export data is only half the picture. Malaysia also imported US$2.64 billion of unwrought aluminium in 2023, up 58.8% on 2022. India was the largest source at 35% (US$942 million), followed by the United States (15.5%), Japan, Australia and several Gulf producers.
These imports feed Malaysia's large downstream industry — extruders, rollers and die-casters that turn primary metal into window and door profiles, automotive parts, electronics housings and packaging. Many of these products are themselves exported, so Malaysia buys specific alloys and grades it does not smelt locally while selling its own primary output abroad.
| Rank | Source Country | Imports 2023 (US$) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 942 Million | 35.0% |
| 2 | United States | 410 Million | 15.5% |
| 3 | Japan | 176 Million | 6.68% |
| 4 | Australia | 172 Million | 6.53% |
| 5 | Russia | 129 Million | 4.91% |
| 6 | United Arab Emirates | 126 Million | 4.78% |
| 7 | Oman | 118 Million | 4.51% |
| 8 | Qatar | 55 Million | 2.09% |
| 9 | Bahrain | 52 Million | 2.00% |
| 10 | Saudi Arabia | 36 Million | 1.38% |
🔩 Get Verified Malaysia Aluminium Trade Data
Access shipment-level HS 7601 export and import records with buyer and supplier names, product types (ingots, billets, slabs, alloys), destination markets, quantities and values. Ideal for finding buyers, sourcing metal and tracking competitors.
Explore Malaysia Trade Data →What's Driving Malaysia's Aluminium Exports?
Strengths
- Low-cost hydropower: aluminium smelting uses huge amounts of electricity. Smelters in Sarawak run on hydroelectric power, which keeps costs competitive and gives Malaysian metal a lower carbon footprint than coal-based supply.
- Strategic location: Malaysia sits on major shipping routes, close to China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia's growing factories.
- Value-added products: a growing share of output is cast into alloy billets and foundry ingots, which sell at a premium to plain ingots.
- Diversified buyers: outside China, six markets each take 6–10% of exports, spreading risk across Asia and Europe.
Challenges
- Price volatility: aluminium prices swing with global demand and energy costs, which is why export value can rise or fall by billions in a single year.
- Reliance on China: with 30% of exports going to one country, any slowdown in Chinese construction or manufacturing hits Malaysian sales.
- Competition: Gulf producers, India, Canada and Russia all compete for the same Asian buyers.
- Low-carbon demands: buyers in Europe and Japan increasingly ask for proof of low-carbon production — an opportunity for hydropower-based metal, but one that requires good traceability.
Outlook: Where Malaysian Aluminium Goes Next
Read together, the latest Malaysia aluminium export data shows that the 2023 dip was a price correction from an exceptional 2021–2022, not a loss of market position — Malaysia stayed the world's 4th-largest exporter and China's No. 2 supplier. Looking ahead, demand for aluminium in electric vehicles, solar panel frames, power cables and lightweight packaging is expected to keep growing. With hydropower-based, lower-carbon metal, Malaysia is well positioned to win buyers who are looking for greener supply.
How to Use Malaysia Aluminium Export Data
Shipment-level Malaysia aluminium export data goes much deeper than annual totals. Here is how traders, buyers and manufacturers put it to work:
- Find active buyers: identify importers in China, Turkey, Japan, Korea, India and Europe that already source HS 7601 from Malaysia.
- Source metal: find Malaysian smelters and traders offering ingots, billets and foundry alloys.
- Track prices: compare unit values by product type and destination to benchmark your own deals.
- Watch competitors: see which exporters are winning which markets, and how volumes change month to month.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is HS Code 7601?
HS Code 7601 covers unwrought aluminium — primary aluminium in ingots, sows, T-bars, billets and slabs before it is rolled or extruded. HS 7601.10 is unalloyed (pure) aluminium and HS 7601.20 is aluminium alloys. Aluminium scrap and finished products such as sheets, profiles and foil fall under other headings.
How much aluminium does Malaysia export?
Malaysia exported US$4.35 billion of unwrought aluminium (HS 7601) in 2023, down 18.8% from about US$5.36 billion in 2022. Exports peaked in 2021 at US$5.36 billion and have grown 6.4 times since 2012.
Which country buys the most aluminium from Malaysia?
China is the largest buyer, taking 30% of Malaysia's HS 7601 exports in 2023 — about US$1.33 billion. Turkey (10%), the Netherlands (9.29%), Japan (7.38%), South Korea (7.26%) and India (7.26%) follow.
Where does Malaysia rank among world aluminium exporters?
Malaysia ranked 4th among reporting countries for unwrought aluminium exports in 2023, with a 7.17% share of a world market worth more than US$60 billion. Canada, the UAE and India ranked first to third.
Why does Malaysia import aluminium if it is a major exporter?
Malaysia imported US$2.64 billion of unwrought aluminium in 2023, mainly from India and the United States. The imports supply Malaysia's downstream extrusion, rolling and casting industries with specific alloys and grades, while Malaysian smelters export their own primary output. Exports were still about 1.65 times higher than imports.
How can I get Malaysia aluminium import and export data?
MalaysiaTradeData.com provides verified Malaysia HS 7601 trade data, including shipment records, buyer and supplier names, product types, destination markets, quantities and values. Visit our Malaysia Export Data page to request a free sample.
