Malaysia will impose a 10% import duty on LBMA-certified gold bars starting June 8, 2026, marking a significant policy shift in the country's gold trading landscape. Previously, Malaysia had no import or export duties on gold bullion, making it a competitive market in Southeast Asia. The new duty, announced by Royal Malaysian Customs and communicated via Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, will add RM45,000 in tax to a 1 kg gold bar valued at RM450,000. This change specifically targets LBMA-certified bars, a global benchmark for gold quality, and is linked to Bank Muamalat's gold investment products. The move could impact Malaysia's Islamic finance sector, where gold is a popular Shariah-compliant investment. The added cost may make physical gold less attractive compared to alternatives like gold-linked ETFs or digital gold platforms. The market has yet to react significantly, as the duty will not take effect until June 8.