GST on food items not normally consumed by Malaysians

PETALING JAYA: More than 60 types of food items not normally consumed by Malaysians will have the Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed on them starting July 1.

Update: Customs Dept cancels decision on GST for 60 food items

These include certain seafood, vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee, spices and noodles, China Press reported yesterday.

Customs Department director-general Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy confirmed the report and said a full statement would be issued today.

“It’s only a few items not consumed by the masses,” he said.

The new items that will be levied with GST include eel, swordfish and imported fruits like avocados, figs, grapes, nectarines, cherries and berries.

The Government introduced GST in April 2015 in the form of a 6% tax on goods and services.

For the complete list of zero-rated goods and services, visit gst.customs.gov.my or www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my.

This article has been amended from its original, pending the official announcement.