# Halal Certification for Malaysian Businesses: JAKIM Process, Cost and Timeline

> How a Malaysian business obtains a JAKIM halal certificate — the mandatory MYeHALAL digital portal, the RM20/RM200 processing fee, the audit steps, how long it takes, and the legal rule that certification becomes compulsory the moment you call a product halal.

- Category: business
- Language: en
- Status: published
- Updated: 2026-08-07
- Canonical: https://negaraku.md/en/business/halal-certification-malaysia

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Put a halal logo on your packaging without JAKIM's certificate and you are not just cutting a corner — you are committing an offence. In Malaysia the halal claim is regulated by law, and the paperwork now lives entirely online.

## When does a business actually need a halal certificate?

Certification is not forced on every product. But the moment you *describe* or *mark* something as halal, the rule changes. Under the **Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011** (reported to be in force since 1 January 2012 — see verification note), only two bodies may certify halal in Malaysia: **JAKIM** (the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) and the **State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN)**. Using the halal description or logo without a valid certificate from one of them is unlawful.

There is usually a commercial trigger alongside the legal one. Many Malaysian retailers and institutional buyers prefer, or require, certified suppliers, so for consumer brands aimed at the Muslim-majority market, certification is often the practical price of entry rather than an optional badge.

## How do you apply — and is it still on paper?

No. Since **5 May 2025**, JAKIM's certification has gone fully digital. Every application — new, renewal or variation — is processed exclusively through the **MYeHALAL** portal. The flow is:

1. **Create an account** on MYeHALAL and complete the online application.
2. **Upload documents** — business registration, local-authority (PBT) licence, full ingredient list, manufacturing process, packaging details and premises map (some products also need JPV, NPRA or MDA approvals).
3. **Pay the processing fee** online.
4. **Document review** by JAKIM's Halal Management Division.
5. **On-site audit** — auditors inspect the premises, raw materials and processes, and may interview staff and take samples.
6. **Committee decision** — if there are no non-compliances, the e-certificate is issued for download.

## What does it cost?

| Item | Local company | Foreign manufacturer (in Malaysia) |
|---|---|---|
| Processing fee (non-refundable) | RM20 | RM200 |

On top of the processing fee, an **annual certification fee** applies by business size. For products, logistics, OEM and medical devices it runs roughly **RM100** (micro), **RM400** (small), **RM700** (medium) and **RM1,000** (large). Catering and service providers, and slaughterhouses, sit on lower bands.

## How long is it valid, and how long does it take?

Validity depends on the scheme:

- **1 year** — slaughterhouses
- **2 years** — food and beverage products, food premises, foreign manufacturers
- **3 years** — cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, logistics, OEM, medical devices

On timing, JAKIM's stated target is **15 to 30 working days** once a *complete* application is received. Realistically, factoring in document preparation, the audit and any corrections, budget **three to six months** end to end. Renewal is not automatic and is not open-ended: the guidance is to submit the renewal through MYeHALAL **between six and three months before expiry**, and no later than three months ahead — letting a certificate lapse while still displaying the logo puts you back on the wrong side of the law.

## What's next

- Register the business with SSM and secure your local-authority (PBT) licence first — you cannot certify without them.
- Build a basic halal management system and clean up your supplier documentation before you open a MYeHALAL account.
- Confirm the current fee schedule and your exact scheme category on the [MYeHALAL portal](https://myehalal.halal.gov.my), since bands and requirements are revised over time.
- If you export, note that JAKIM also recognises approved foreign certification bodies — check whether your destination market accepts JAKIM or requires a local mark.

## Sources

- P.U. (A) 431 — Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011 — https://food.chemlinked.com/database/view/5640 (ChemLinked)
- A Quick Guide To Halal Certification Fees In Malaysia — https://mishu.my/blog/business-licenses/halal-certification-fees/ (MISHU)
- 7 FAQs On Halal Certificate Renewals For Malaysian Restaurants — https://mishu.my/blog/business-licenses/renew-restaurant-halal/ (MISHU)
- JAKIM Halal Certification for Foreign Companies in Malaysia (2025–2026) — https://onekeybiz.com/insights/jakim-halal-certification-malaysia-foreign-company-2025-2026.html (OneKeyBiz)
- How to Get Halal Certificate in Malaysia — https://emerhub.com/malaysia/how-to-get-halal-certificate-in-malaysia/ (Emerhub)
- MYeHALAL — Official JAKIM Halal Certification Portal — https://myehalal.halal.gov.my (JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia))

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Source of truth: https://github.com/negaraku-md/NegaraKu.md
License: CC BY-SA 4.0