Home / Knowledge Centre / e-Invoice for Foreign Customers
Knowledge Centre · Special Cases

e-Invoice for Foreign Customers

Definition: A foreign customer, for e-Invoice purposes, is a buyer outside Malaysia (or without a Malaysian Tax Identification Number) who purchases goods or services from a Malaysian business. The Malaysian seller still generally has e-Invoice obligations, even though the buyer doesn't have a Malaysian TIN.

A common misconception is that selling to overseas customers exempts a Malaysian business from e-Invoice. In most cases, it doesn't — the obligation sits with the Malaysian issuer, and there are specific rules for buyers without a Malaysian TIN.

Why this comes up

e-Invoice is fundamentally about the seller's tax reporting to LHDN, not the buyer's. So a Malaysian freelancer, agency, or exporter selling to a client in Singapore, the US, or anywhere else is still generally expected to issue a valid e-Invoice for that transaction, once e-Invoice applies to their business.

How foreign buyers are handled without a Malaysian TIN

LHDN provides a mechanism for these cases — typically a standard/default TIN value used specifically for buyers who don't have (and aren't required to have) a Malaysian TIN, combined with whatever identification details are available for the foreign buyer (such as their passport number, business registration number, or country of origin). The exact field requirements are set by LHDN and can be updated, so confirm the current format before submitting.

Common scenarios

FAQ

Do I need to issue an e-Invoice to a foreign customer who has no Malaysian TIN?

Yes, generally — the Malaysian seller's e-Invoice obligation typically still applies. LHDN provides a general/default TIN value and identification fields for foreign buyers without a Malaysian TIN.

Does e-Invoice apply to exports?

Malaysian sellers exporting goods or services are still generally subject to e-Invoice as the issuer, even if the buyer is overseas. Confirm current treatment and any specific exemptions with LHDN's official guidance.

What if my foreign customer wants an invoice in a different currency?

e-Invoice submissions to LHDN require specific currency and exchange rate handling — check current MyInvois technical guidance, or use software that manages this conversion for you.

Note: Rules for foreign-buyer e-Invoicing, including TIN handling and currency requirements, are set by LHDN and may be refined over time. Always verify against LHDN's current official MyInvois documentation for your specific situation.

Related reading

WhatsApp Book Demo