Over 60 food items subject to GST come July 1

The food items include various seafood, imported fruits, noodles and coconut oil.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians will have to brace themselves from another round of price hikes as over 60 food items will be subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1.

According to The Star Online that quoted a news report in China Press, the food items will include seafood, vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee, spices and noodles.

Customs Department director-general Subromaniam Tholasy confirmed the tax on the various food items and said a full statement would be issued today.

He also said the items would include those “not consumed by the masses”.

Among these are eel, swordfish and imported fruits like avocados, figs, grapes, nectarines, cherries and berries.

However other items that will be slapped with the 6% GST include bihun, kuey teow, laksa mee and coconut oil.

Under the category of vegetables, potatoes, long beans, peas, spinach and sweet corn would be taken off the GST zero-rated list, the news report said.

The Government introduced the 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.