Selling on Shopee can be highly profitable, but sellers must be aware of Malaysia’s laws on controlled goods. Pursuant to the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and directions from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA), any transaction involving controlled goods requires strict compliance.

If you are planning to sell cooking oil, sugar, flour, chicken, or other scheduled goods on Shopee, here’s what you need to know to avoid fines and account suspension.
 

What Are Controlled Goods?

In Malaysia, controlled goods are products that fall under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. These items are considered essential to daily life, which is why their prices and sales are strictly regulated by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA).

If you plan to sell any of these goods on Shopee (or any marketplace), you must first apply for and obtain a Controlled Goods Licence. Selling them without approval can lead to serious fines, account suspension, or even legal action.

Examples of Scheduled Controlled Goods in Malaysia:

• Cooking Oil (1kg polybag) – fixed retail price at RM2.50 per pack

• Sugar

  • Coarse grain white refined sugar (1kg) – max RM2.85 per pack

  • Fine grain white refined sugar (1kg) – max RM2.95 per pack

• Wheat Flour – RM1.35 per kg

• Chicken – RM9.40 per kg
   

Shopee Selling Guidelines for Cooking Oil

Cooking oil is one of the most in-demand essentials on Shopee, but it’s also a regulated controlled good. This means sellers must strictly follow both government regulations and Shopee’s marketplace rules to avoid penalties.

1. Polybag Cooking Oil (1kg)

• Fixed retail price: RM2.50 per pack (no mark-ups allowed)

• Transaction limit: Maximum of 3 packs per order

• Promotion restrictions:

  • Sellers cannot bundle 1kg polybag cooking oil with other products

  • No Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotions involving polybag cooking oil

2. Bottled Cooking Oil

Unlike polybag oil, bottled cooking oil is not subsidised, but it still has a maximum retail price under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Determination of Maximum Price) Order 2023.

Here are the current maximum retail prices you must follow when selling on Shopee:
 

How to Apply for a Controlled Goods Licence?

If you plan to sell cooking oil, sugar, flour, chicken, or any other controlled goods on Shopee, you must first obtain a Controlled Goods Licence from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA).

Who Needs to Apply?

The licence is mandatory for all businesses involved in handling scheduled controlled goods, including:

• Manufacturers

• Wholesalers

• Retailers

Application Process

1. Submit your application online via the BLESS Portal

2. Each business premise requires its own licence

   • Example: If you have three physical shops, you need three separate licences

3. If you manage multiple Shopee accounts but use the same business premise address, only one licence is required

Types of Licences

Depending on your business role, you will need one of the following:

• Licence of Manufacture For Scheduled Controlled Goods – For businesses involved in production or processing of controlled goods

• Licence of Wholesale For Scheduled Controlled Goods – For distributors who sell to other businesses or resellers

• Licence of Retail For Scheduled Controlled Goods – For sellers who sell directly to end-consumers (most Shopee sellers fall under this category)

Validity of Licence

• A Controlled Goods Licence can be issued or renewed for up to 5 years

• Renewal must be done before the expiry date to avoid interruption in your selling rights

Where to Get Help

• BLESS Call Centre: 1-300-88-1020

• Email: [email protected]
   

What Happens If Sellers List Controlled Goods Without a Licence on Shopee?

Selling controlled goods without a valid licence from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) is considered a serious offence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. The penalties are heavy and can cause long-term damage to your business.

For Individual Sellers

• First offence: Fine of up to RM1,000,000

• Subsequent offences: Fine of up to RM3,000,000, or imprisonment up to 3 years, or both

For Companies

• First offence: Fine of up to RM2,000,000

• Subsequent offences: Fine of up to RM5,000,000

On Shopee’s Platform

Apart from legal consequences, Shopee also enforces strict marketplace rules:

• Any listing of controlled goods without a licence will be immediately removed

• Repeat violations may lead to account suspension or permanent bans
   

Compliance First, Smooth Operations Next

For Shopee sellers in Malaysia, selling controlled goods is tightly regulated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. A valid MDTCA licence and adherence to price controls are essential, as violations can result in fines, product delistings, or even account suspension.

Beyond licensing, sellers also need efficient systems to manage product listings accurately across multiple accounts. BigSeller supports this by streamlining operations and reducing the risk of compliance-related errors.

Try BigSeller for free and simplify your Shopee store management today.

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