Yacht Registration in Langkawi
Malaysia is a rapidly developing country in Southeast Asia. Malaysian Ship Registry is one of the fastest growing in the world. Foreign yacht registration is processed on Langkawi Island, a duty-free zone exempt from VAT and income tax. Langkawi is located in the north-west of Malaysia, near the border of Thailand, with a population of about 100,000 people. Registration of the Malaysian flag goes on remotely. The requirements are straightforward, and registration remains valid indefinitely with only a small annual government fee.
Documents Required for Boat Registration
1. Copy of the passport (page with photo) of the yacht owner.
2. If the owner is a company, we will need copies of all corporate documents (Certificate of Incorporation, M&AoA, Appointment of the Director, Share Certificates, etc.), including a copy of the director's and shareholder’s passport or ID card. If the documents are more than 6 months, an updated extract from the Register is required (Certificate of Good Standing, Certificate of Incumbency).
3. Scanned Power of Attorney for boat registration in the Langkawi International Yacht Registry. We will provide you with a sample.
4. Proof of Yacht Ownership:
- Builder's Certificate for new boats,
- if the vessel was bought, then the Bill of Sale, Sales Agreement, Invoice, etс.
5. For previously registered yachts:
- Deletion Certificate,
- Previous Certificate of Registry.
6. Photos of the yacht:
- bow, stern, left or right side of the boat,
- Hull Identification Number (HIN),
- Engine Serial Number.
7. Scan of signed forms: Application of Approved Name / Change of Name / Name Reservation / Pre-Fix or Suffix. Here you'll write down 3 alternative names for your yacht.
8. Scan of the Application to Register Yacht, where you must provide details such as the builder's name and address, construction country, year of build, hull material, etc. We will assist you in completing it.
9. Scan of the signed Declaration of Ownership. This form requires the owner's name, passport number, nationality, phone number, email, postal address, etc. We'll help you fill it out correctly.
10. Scan of a signed Particulars of Yacht, in which you need to show the length, breadth, depth, tonnage, engine model, location of yacht. We'll help you fill out this form.
11. Confirmation of payment of government fees.
All documents must be scanned in high-quality PDF format, but the file sizes shouldn’t be too large.
Processing Time. Registration under the Malaysian flag takes approximately 3 weeks from the date all required documents are submitted to the Langkawi International Yacht Registry.
Optional Services
1. Reservation of approved name – 380 MYR
2. Change of yacht’s name – 230 MYR
3. Duplicate Certificate of Registry – 120 MYR
4. Certified copy of any document relating to the yacht registration – 120 MYR
5. Quick Registration Fee (if all documents approved) – 760 MYR
6. Issue of a Certificate of Deletion – 120 MYR
7. Change of ownership – 290 MYR
More Information
Malaysia consists of two parts separated by the South China Sea. Langkawi Island is located on the west coast of Malaysia, surrounded by a beautiful aqua blue sea.
The registration of foreign yachts is administered by the Langkawi International Yacht Registry. The entire process is conducted remotely. The yacht can be located anywhere in the world, as physical presence in Malaysian waters is not required.
Registration can be done through an authorized registration agent – an experienced professional who ensures a quick and efficient process. We work with such an agent.
The registration process takes 2-3 weeks, provided all documents meet the boat registry's requirements.
Registration is issued for life, though an annual government fee is required. For yachts up to 150 tons, the fee is 380 MYR (≈ 100 USD), while vessels over 150 tons are subject to a higher tonnage fee.
We can take care of the annual renewal for a small service fee of 100 USD and ensure that all government fees are paid on time.
The Malaysian flag is available to citizens of all nationalities. Applications from sanctioned jurisdictions are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Registration is available for both individuals and companies. The company may be registered in any jurisdiction. When registering a yacht under a company, the cost is higher due to the additional time required for reviewing corporate documents, KYC verification, and other procedures. The typical surcharge is approximately 500 USD, though the final amount will be confirmed after we analyze the company's documentation.
Yacht registration can be obtained for private, commercial, or bareboat use. The registration cost is the same for all three categories. For commercial or bareboat use, we typically need to review your vessel's details more thoroughly, as these cases require an individual approach. Please email us, and we will work on your request.
In most cases, a survey is not required. However, if the Ship Registry requests an inspection document, we will recommend several accredited survey companies (our partners) for you. So it’s not a problem.
We will help you fill out all registration forms, prepare the necessary documents, pay government fees and, if needed, will courier a Malaysian flag made of polyester to be raised on your yacht.
Interesting Facts
Malaysia is the most multinational country in Asia. Only 50% of the country's population are native Malays. The remaining 50% is allotted as follows: 23% – Chinese, 7% – Indians, 12% – small ethnic groups.
Langkawi Island has historically been a harbour for sailors and a haven for pirates. The largest anti-pirate operation was carried out by Great Britain. In the period from December 1945 to March 1946, the British Navy defeated all the pirate shelters on Langkawi.
Afterwards the pirates tried to regain their influence, but the Malaysian Navy increased patrols of Langkawi, and in recent years the number of pirate attacks has fallen to a minimum.
In 1987, the Malaysian government allowed Langkawi tax benefits. As a result, Langkawi has become a paradise for duty-free shopping. There are numerous branded duty-free shops on the island, where perfumes, cosmetics, chocolate, sweets, wine, cigarettes and other goods are sold in large quantities at low prices. Langkawi Island has become a favorite resort for Malaysians and foreign travelers.
Due to these tax benefits, the yacht business, including international yacht registration, began to grow quickly in Langkawi.
Langkawi has its own yacht club and a comfortable marina.
Summary of Malaysian (Langkawi) Flag
Fast, Simple, Reliable,
Inexpensive
Inexpensive
Survey Not Required
(Except in Specific Cases)
(Except in Specific Cases)
Registration of Yachts
Under Construction
Under Construction
Fully Remote Process,
No Need to Come to Malaysia
No Need to Come to Malaysia
Quick Registration Available
(if All Documents Approved)
(if All Documents Approved)
Open to All Nationals (Individual assessment for sanctioned countries)
Lifetime Registration
with Annual Renewal
with Annual Renewal
Private, Bareboat and
Commercial Use
Commercial Use
Rapidly Developing Maritime Jurisdiction