3.2. The tariff remains a main trade policy instrument and a minor source of tax revenue (1.3% of
total tax revenue in 2012). Following the adoption of the HS 2012 nomenclature, Malaysia's
customs tariff was streamlined by reducing the number of tariff lines (9.3% less). Almost all tariff
lines remain ad valorem. Nonetheless, the tariff involves a multiplicity of rates whose number
remains virtually unchanged since 2009. As a result of unilateral tariff cuts during the period under
review the average applied MFN tariff rate dropped from 7.4% in 2009 to 5.6% in 2013. Although
the average applied MFN tariff on industrial products has dropped, it remains more than two times
higher than the average tariff level affecting agricultural products (WTO definition). Tariff
dispersion was reduced, though tariff escalation remains pronounced. Peak ad valorem rates apply
to agriculture (WTO definition). Tariff rates range from zero to 90% although non-ad valorem
tariffs tend to conceal higher peak rates of up to 1,439.2% (alcoholic beverages, tobacco refuse);
80% of rates were 10% or below in 2013. Malaysia continues to maintain tariff-rate quotas related
to its multilateral agricultural market-access commitments; in-quota rates range between zero
(round cabbages) and 25%, and out-of-quota rates from 20% to 90% (round cabbages). While
more than 80% of tariff rates are bound, the average gap between applied and bound MFN rates
appears to have risen to at least 10 percentage points, thus allowing considerable leeway for
raising applied tariffs, though this does not seem to have occurred during the period under review.
The gap between Malaysia's simple average applied MFN tariff rate and the average preferential
rate on imports from preferential or FTA trading partners was also reduced.