Malaysia Embodied Intelligence & Humanoid Association
MEIHAEmbodied Intelligence & Humanoids

Policy tracker

Every policy, agreement, tariff, export control and data rule MEIHA tracks for the robotics supply chain, with status and sources.

Last updated 8 October 2026 · Methodology

Tracker

34 rules tracked

34 of 34 rules

DateRuleWhereTypeStatusSources
28 Jul 2026FCC Covered List: foreign-produced advanced robotic devices
New foreign-made humanoids, quadrupeds and autonomous mobile robots over 4.4 lb with sensors, connectivity and autonomy software need a conditional approval before FCC authorisation. Applies to all countries, including Malaysia. Fixed industrial and medical robots are excluded; 65% US content (70% by 2029) is exempt.		United StatesMarket accessIn force
24 Jul 2026US Section 301 tariffs on Malaysia and other economies
10% for Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia, and 12.5% for other economies investigated, including Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore and China. Section 232 goods are excluded.		United StatesTariffIn force
May 2026ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement
Negotiations concluded in May 2026; signing targeted for the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026.
Watch: 15 Nov 2026. Signing targeted at the November 2026 ASEAN Summit.		ASEANTrade agreementSigned, not in force
31 Mar 2026Thailand BOI automation incentive (Notification 4/2569)
Import duty exemption on machinery and three years of 50% corporate tax exemption for automation in auto plants, rising to 100% if at least 30% of machinery is from Thai automation makers. Applications close at the end of 2027.		ThailandIncentiveIn force
1 Mar 2026National humanoid and embodied intelligence standard system (2026 edition)
China's first national standard system for humanoids and embodied intelligence, organised in six pillars.		ChinaStandardIn force
23 Feb 2026Thailand approves first humanoid parts plants outside China
The Board of Investment approved five Chinese plants worth THB 9.22 billion for roller screws, ball screws, actuators, joints and body parts in the Eastern Economic Corridor.		ThailandIncentiveIn force
20 Feb 2026US reciprocal (IEEPA) tariffs struck down
The US Supreme Court held that IEEPA does not authorise tariffs, voiding the 2025 reciprocal tariffs. Section 232 and China Section 301 tariffs remained.		United StatesTariffEnded
21 Jan 2026MIIT 2026 priorities for humanoid robots
MIIT counted more than 140 humanoid makers and 330 products, and named large models, integrated joints and chips as priorities, supporting the Beijing and Shanghai innovation centres.		ChinaNational policyIn force
2026–203015th Five-Year Plan: embodied intelligence
Names embodied intelligence as a new industry track, with support for training grounds and core components.		ChinaNational policyIn force
26 Dec 2025National humanoid and embodied intelligence standards committee
MIIT formed a Standardization Technical Committee on Humanoid Robots and Embodied Intelligence, with vice-chairs from Unitree and AgiBot and its secretariat at the Chinese Institute of Electronics.		ChinaStandardIn force
7 Nov 2025Expanded rare-earth and battery controls (suspended)
A package announced on 9 October 2025 covering more rare earths, magnet-making equipment, lithium battery items and extraterritorial rules was suspended by Announcement No. 70 until 10 November 2026.
Watch: 10 Nov 2026. The suspension expires on 10 November 2026. The controls may return.		ChinaExport controlSuspended
28 Oct 2025ASEAN–China FTA 3.0 upgrade
Signed in Kuala Lumpur, adding the digital economy, green economy, supply-chain connectivity, standards and customs facilitation. Enters into force 60 days after all parties ratify. Existing ACFTA origin rule: 40% regional value content or change of tariff heading, with cumulation.
Watch: 15 Nov 2026. Entry into force targeted around the November 2026 ASEAN–China Summit.		ASEANTrade agreementSigned, not in force
26 Oct 2025ATIGA upgrade (Second Protocol)
Upgrade to ASEAN’s internal goods agreement adding seven chapters and liberalising rules of origin. Enters into force 18 months after all members sign.		ASEANTrade agreementSigned, not in force
26 Oct 2025US–Malaysia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
Signed in October 2025 with a 19% tariff and 1,711 lines at zero, plus Malaysian commitments on export controls and critical minerals. Its status has been contested since the February 2026 Supreme Court ruling.		United StatesTrade agreementContested
10 Oct 2025Budget 2026: AI and mechanisation
About RM5.9 billion for AI, RM20 million for palm oil mechanisation and automation start-ups, RM500 million in BPMB loans for E&E, and an extra tax deduction for SME AI training.		MalaysiaIncentiveIn force
2 Sept 2025US Section 232 investigation into robotics and industrial machinery
National security investigation into imports of robotics and industrial machinery. No resulting tariff had been announced at the time of writing.		United StatesTariffUnder investigation
15 Jul 2025Battery technology export restrictions
LFP and LMFP cathode technology and lithium extraction technology added to China’s restricted technology export catalogue.		ChinaExport controlIn force
14 Jul 2025Strategic Trade Permit for US-origin AI chips
Exports, transshipment and transit of high-performance US-origin AI chips require a Strategic Trade Permit under the Strategic Trade Act 2010.		MalaysiaExport controlIn force
1 Jun 2025PDPA amendments: data protection officers and breach notification
Data protection officers became mandatory, along with data breach notification and data portability rights.		MalaysiaData protectionIn force
4 Apr 2025Rare-earth export licences (MOFCOM Announcement No. 18)
Export licences required for seven medium and heavy rare earths (Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Lu, Sc, Y) and magnets containing them, the inputs to robot joint motors. Dysprosium and terbium exports fell about 60% year on year in the first half of 2026.		ChinaExport controlIn force
1 Apr 2025PDPA amendments: biometric data and cross-border transfers
Biometric data became sensitive personal data, data processors gained direct security duties, maximum penalties rose to RM1 million and three years, and the cross-border transfer whitelist was replaced.		MalaysiaData protectionIn force
24 Feb 2025Shenzhen 10 billion yuan AI and robotics fund
Shenzhen launched a 10 billion yuan fund for AI and robotics, followed by an embodied robotics action plan for 2025–2027.		ChinaNational policyIn force
12 Dec 2024National AI Office
Launched under the Digital Ministry to coordinate national AI policy, regulation and adoption.		MalaysiaNational policyIn force
11 Nov 2024Philippines CREATE MORE Act
Cut corporate tax for registered enterprises to 20%, simplified VAT refunds and extended incentives up to 27 years.		PhilippinesIncentiveIn force
21 Sept 2024Vietnam semiconductor strategy (Decision 1018)
National semiconductor industry strategy to 2030 with a vision to 2050.		VietnamNational policyIn force
28 May 2024National Semiconductor Strategy
At least RM25 billion in fiscal support, a goal to attract RM500 billion of investment and to train or upskill 60,000 high-skilled engineers, building Malaysian chip design and advanced packaging firms.		MalaysiaNational policyIn force
2 Feb 2024ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics
Seven guiding principles for trustworthy AI, adopted by ASEAN digital ministers.		ASEANStandardIn force
OngoingIndustry4WRD Intervention Fund
70:30 matching grant of up to RM500,000 for SMEs that have completed the Industry4WRD Readiness Assessment.		MalaysiaIncentiveIn force
20 Oct 2023MIIT Guiding Opinions on Humanoid Robot Innovation
Set 2025 targets of breakthroughs in core technologies, secure supply of key components, batch production, two to three globally influential companies and two to three clusters; and by 2027 a secure, reliable supply chain at world-advanced level.		ChinaNational policyIn force
1 Sept 2023New Industrial Master Plan 2030
Mission-based industrial plan targeting manufacturing value-added of RM587.5 billion, 3.3 million jobs and 3,000 smart factories. 93 smart factories had been recognised by June 2026.		MalaysiaNational policyIn force
YA 2023–2027Automation Capital Allowance
200% capital allowance on the first RM10 million of qualifying automation spending in manufacturing, services and agriculture. MIDA reviews applications with SIRIM.		MalaysiaIncentiveIn force
1 Jan 2022RCEP
Covers ASEAN, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Usually 40% regional value content, a 10% de minimis for non-originating materials, and cumulation of originating materials.		ASEANTrade agreementIn force
2021–2030National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation 2021–2030
Sets national direction for science, technology and innovation, including a target of 3.5% of GDP for R&D spending by 2030.		MalaysiaNational policyIn force
2021–2030National Robotics Roadmap 2021–2030
Aims to make Malaysia a regional robotics hub in services, agriculture and manufacturing by 2030, raising robot density from 55 to 195 per 10,000 workers, through 5 strategic thrusts, 19 strategies and 24 initiatives.		MalaysiaNational policyIn force