Quick answer
A WRT licence from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is issued for a limited period — generally one to three years, decided case by case — and must be renewed before expiry. Renewal re-checks that the company still meets the conditions, including foreign shareholding and paid-up capital. An expired WRT licence exposes the company to enforcement and can affect its expatriate pass applications.
Last reviewed： · Reviewed by：ONEKEY BIZ compliance team
01
Overview
Distributive trade — getting goods to intermediaries or final buyers through wholesale, retail, import and export — is regulated for foreign-owned companies in Malaysia. A company with more than 50% non-Malaysian shareholding needs a Wholesale, Retail & Trade (WRT) licence from KPDN before it starts trading.
The licence is time-limited: KPDN generally grants one to three years, decided case by case. Renewal is not automatic. KPDN looks again at the company's shareholding, paid-up capital, premises and trading activity against the licence conditions, and an expired licence means the company is trading without approval.
WRT is also connected to hiring. A foreign-majority company in wholesale and retail needs the WRT licence in place for its ESD registration and Employment Pass applications — so a missing or lapsed WRT licence stalls both trading and immigration.
Who needs this
- Foreign-owned trading companies whose WRT licence is expiring
- Companies whose shareholding or capital has changed
- Companies with expatriate staff dependent on the WRT licence
02
Documents you need to prepare
Company
- SSM company profile, constitution and shareholding
- Proof of paid-up capital (bank statements or audited accounts)
- Premises tenancy agreement and photos
Business
- Business plan and products traded
- Supplier and customer information
Records
- Current WRT licence and compliance with its conditions
- Paid-up capital must meet the requirement for your trade category.
- Plan WRT before ESD registration if the company will hire expatriates.
03
How to get it done with ONEKEY BIZ
- 1Expiry & conditions check 3 months before
Capital, shareholding and conditions re-verified.
- 2Update records Month −3 to −1
Financials, premises and business records refreshed.
- 3Submit renewal Before expiry
Renewal submitted through BLESS.
- 4KPDN review Per KPDN
Queries answered.
- 5Renewed Done
Licence renewed; next expiry logged.
You do
- Provide company and business information
- Fund the required paid-up capital
We do
- Assess the trade category and capital
- Prepare the business plan and file
- Submit through BLESS
- Track the next expiry
04
What you receive
KPDN approval for distributive trade.
Obligations under the licence.
Renewal date logged.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Do Malaysian-majority companies need WRT?
No. It applies to companies with more than 50% foreign shareholding.
Is RM1 million always required?
It is the requirement for the common 'other distributive trade' category; some categories differ.
Does WRT affect employment passes?
Yes. Foreign-majority trading companies need it for ESD registration and pass applications.