The car market in the Peninsular is bigger — more model choice, more stock, and sometimes more competitive prices. So it's no surprise many Sabahans & Sarawakians buy there (including online) and ship it home. The "ship it" part is what we handle. Here's the full guide.
Why Buy in the Peninsular?
- 🚗 Wider choice — more dealers, models, and used units.
- 💰 Competitive prices — a larger market often means better deals.
- 🔎 Buy online — marketplaces make it easy to find a specific unit.
That leaves one challenge: getting the car across the sea to Borneo. The answer — RORO shipping.
Buy + Ship Steps
- 01
Buy & confirm ownership
New car: the dealer registers it in your name. Used car: complete the JPJ ownership transfer so the registration is in your name.
- 02
Prepare documents
Registration, IC, valid road tax & insurance. If bought with a loan, request the bank release letter early.
- 03
Book shipping with Rentaka
Give us the car's location (seller/dealer) in the Peninsular + your destination in Sabah/Sarawak. We confirm the rate & sailing slot.
- 04
Pickup → RORO → receive
A jockey collects the car, ships it via RORO, and delivers it to your address in Borneo. Inspect & sign on receipt.
Ownership & Documents
The most important thing when buying (especially a used car) is correct ownership. Complete the JPJ transfer so the registration is in your name before shipping — this avoids complications at the port. The shipping documents are the usual set; see the document checklist.
No re-registration needed in Sabah/Sarawak — a Malaysian plate is valid nationwide. Moving a car to Borneo is a domestic move, not an import.
Cost & Time
RORO shipping to Sabah/Sarawak is usually 10-14 days from booking. Cost depends on vehicle type and destination — see the Rates page for confirmed rates, or check with our officer for an exact rate including Allianz Marine Insurance.
Tips to Avoid Problems
- ✅ Confirm the ownership transfer is complete before shipping (used cars).
- 🏦 Request the bank release letter early if the car is financed.
- 📷 Ask the seller/dealer to photograph the car's condition at handover.
- 📅 Sequence the dates: documents ready first, then lock the sailing date.
FAQ
Can I buy a car in Peninsular Malaysia and ship it to Sabah/Sarawak?
Yes, and many people do — the choice is wider and prices are sometimes lower in the Peninsular. Once the purchase and documents are sorted, we ship the car via RORO to your chosen port in Sabah/Sarawak.
Do I need to re-register the car in Sabah/Sarawak?
No. A Malaysian registration plate is valid nationwide — a car moving to Sabah/Sarawak doesn't need re-registration. What matters is correct ownership (JPJ transfer) if you bought a used car.
What if I buy online / from another state?
Same process. Make sure the ownership transfer is complete (for used cars) or the registration is in your name (new cars via the dealer). We can collect the car from the seller/dealer location in the Peninsular.
What if the car was bought with a loan?
You'll need a bank release letter from the financing bank before it can be shipped (3-7 working days). See our shipping-a-financed-car guide.
Can the dealer arrange shipping directly?
Yes. We often work with buyers and dealers — give us the pickup location and we handle it from there. Some dealers arrange directly with us on the customer's behalf.
What's the total cost and time?
RORO shipping to Sabah/Sarawak is usually 10-14 days from booking. Cost depends on vehicle type & destination — see the Rates page, or check with our officer for an exact rate including insurance.
🛒 Bought it? We'll ship it to your door.
Give us the car's location in the Peninsular and your destination in Sabah/Sarawak — we handle pickup through delivery.
// Rentaka Logistics — vehicle shipping since 2023
