Malaysia–Singapore Trade: Top Imported Products in 2026 | Chips, Refined Fuel and the 2026 Import Surge
Malaysia–Singapore Trade Overview: A Gateway, Not Just a Supplier
Singapore plays two roles for Malaysia at once. It is a producer of high-value goods such as memory chips and refined fuel, and it is a regional hub through which many products are shipped, stored, and traded. As a result, "imports from Singapore" often reflect where goods were last processed or shipped from, not only where they were first made. That is worth keeping in mind when reading any origin statistic.
The relationship runs both ways. Singapore is also Malaysia's second-largest export destination, taking RM195.0 billion in January–August 2026, or 14.4% of all exports, behind only the United States. Malaysia therefore runs a surplus with Singapore, but, as shown below, imports have been growing faster than exports.
| Metric | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Imports from Singapore (2025) | ≈ US$35.65 Billion | UN COMTRADE; other databases show US$32.6–35.7 billion |
| Imports from Singapore (Jan–Aug 2026) | RM144.36 Billion | ▲ 40.4% vs RM102.84 billion; 12.5% of total imports |
| Imports from Singapore (Aug 2026) | RM18.98 Billion | ▲ 59.1% year-on-year |
| Exports to Singapore (Jan–Aug 2026) | RM195.03 Billion | ▲ 18.9%; 14.4% of exports |
| Approximate Surplus (Jan–Aug 2026) | RM50.7 Billion | Down from about RM61.2 billion a year earlier |
| Singapore's Share of ASEAN Imports (Aug 2026) | 51.5% | Largest ASEAN source by far |
What Malaysia Imports from Singapore
Three codes dominate. Integrated circuits (HS 8542) make up about 26.5% of imports from Singapore, refined petroleum (HS 2710) about 23.8%, and gold (HS 7108) about 3.6%. Together that is roughly 54% of the total; the remaining 46% is spread across hundreds of other lines.
| HS Code | Product | Share of Imports from Singapore (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 8542 | Electronic integrated circuits | 26.5% (≈ US$9.45 billion) |
| 2710 | Refined petroleum oils | 23.8% (≈ US$8.5 billion, derived from share) |
| 7108 | Gold, non-monetary | 3.6% (≈ US$1.3 billion, derived from share) |
| — | All other products | 46.1% |
1. Integrated Circuits and Electronics
Electrical and electronic goods totalled about US$13.55 billion in 2025, led by integrated circuits at US$9.45 billion. Beyond chips, the next-largest lines were electrical switching and protection apparatus (about US$550 million), line telephony equipment (US$414 million), storage media such as solid-state devices (US$392 million), printed circuits (US$222 million), transformers (US$206 million), and electric motors (US$170 million). TradeInt's records list a Singapore-based unit of a major memory-chip maker among the top suppliers, which fits the pattern of Singapore wafer and memory production feeding Malaysian packaging and test plants. For the Malaysian side of this chain, see our electronics import guide for HS 8542.
2. Refined Petroleum
Singapore is one of Asia's main refining and fuel-trading hubs, which explains why refined petroleum is its second-largest export to Malaysia. OEC figures put the 2024 value at about US$8.9 billion. Prices matter here: across all suppliers, Malaysia's refined petroleum imports in August 2026 rose 24.9% in value even though volumes fell 10.5%, because average unit values jumped 39.4%. In other words, part of the fuel bill reflects price, not quantity. Our crude petroleum import guide covers the upstream side.
3. Gold
Gold is a smaller line but a consistent one. OEC data show about US$1.59 billion in 2024, and our gold import analysis explains the wider bullion trade. Because gold values move with prices, this line can swing even when physical volumes are steady.
The 2026 Surge: How Singapore Compares with Other Suppliers
Malaysia's imports have exploded in 2026. Total imports reached RM1,157.6 billion in January–August, up 22.4%, and electrical and electronic imports rose 40.3% to RM506.5 billion. In August alone, E&E imports jumped 89.3% to RM81.2 billion, while imports of parts and accessories for capital goods roughly doubled (+101.6%), a pattern consistent with the AI and data center hardware build-out we analysed in our AI server and GPU import guide.
Within that surge, Singapore grew faster than the overall average. Its share of Malaysia's imports rose from about 10.9% to 12.5%. Only South Korea (+60.8%) and, narrowly, China (+41.2%) grew faster or similarly among the top five origins, while imports from the United States fell 11.4%.
| Origin | Jan–Aug 2025 | Jan–Aug 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | RM218.3 Billion | RM308.1 Billion | ▲ 41.2% |
| Singapore | RM102.8 Billion | RM144.4 Billion | ▲ 40.4% |
| Taiwan | RM98.4 Billion | RM118.4 Billion | ▲ 20.3% |
| United States | RM95.7 Billion | RM84.8 Billion | ▼ 11.4% |
| South Korea | RM41.7 Billion | RM67.0 Billion | ▲ 60.8% |
Monthly rankings can shift. In August 2026, Taiwan (RM21.6 billion) edged ahead of Singapore (RM19.0 billion), though Singapore remains second over the full January–August period. For the other big suppliers, see our Taiwan and US import guides.
The Two-Way Balance: A Narrowing Surplus
Malaysia exported RM195.0 billion to Singapore in January–August 2026, up 18.9%, led by electrical and electronic products, machinery, and petroleum products. Because imports from Singapore grew more than twice as fast (+40.4%), the bilateral surplus narrowed from roughly RM61.2 billion to about RM50.7 billion. These figures mix export values recorded on a free-on-board basis with import values that include freight and insurance, so treat the surplus as an approximation.
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Explore Malaysia Trade Data →Risks and What to Watch
Three factors deserve attention. First, price effects: with fuel and gold making up a large share of the basket, swings in commodity prices can move import values without any change in volume. Second, chip flows are lumpy, so single months, like the 59.1% jump in August, should be read alongside year-to-date trends. Third, origin statistics for a hub economy can shift when supply chains reroute, so supplier rankings may change even if underlying demand does not. Nonetheless, the direction is clear: as long as Malaysia's electronics assembly and data center build-out continue, imports from Singapore are likely to stay elevated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does Malaysia import most from Singapore?
Integrated circuits (HS 8542) are the largest category at about 26.5% of imports from Singapore, followed by refined petroleum (HS 2710) at about 23.8% and gold (HS 7108) at about 3.6%.
How much does Malaysia import from Singapore?
Malaysia imported about US$35.65 billion from Singapore in 2025 according to UN COMTRADE; other databases show US$32.6 billion to US$35.7 billion. In January–August 2026, imports reached RM144.4 billion, up 40.4% year-on-year, according to DOSM.
Is Singapore Malaysia's second-largest import source?
Yes, over January–August 2026 Singapore ranked second with a 12.5% share, after China. In the single month of August 2026, Taiwan edged slightly ahead.
Does Malaysia have a trade surplus with Singapore?
Yes. In January–August 2026 Malaysia exported RM195.0 billion to Singapore and imported RM144.4 billion, a surplus of roughly RM50.7 billion. That is down from about RM61.2 billion a year earlier because imports grew faster than exports.
How can I access Malaysia's import data from Singapore?
MalaysiaTradeData.com provides verified Malaysia import data, including shipment records, buyer and supplier names, HS code breakdowns, and country-of-origin filters. Visit our Malaysia Import Data page to request a free sample.
