You have decided to sell online. Now you need to make it official.
SSM registration takes 30 minutes online, costs RM 60 for most beginners, and protects you from selling illegally. Here is exactly how to do it — from choosing the right business structure to downloading your certificate.
What You Will Need
Before you open ezbiz.ssm.com.my, have these ready:
- MyKad (IC) — your identification number is your login. No MyKad means no ezbiz account.
- Malaysian mobile number — for OTP verification during account creation
- Email address — for account login and certificate notifications
- Business name — you can search availability on ezbiz before committing
- Business address — your home address works for a sole proprietorship
- Debit or credit card — to pay the registration fee online (RM 60 for most beginners)
- Approximately 30 minutes — including form completion and payment
No lawyer, no agent, no office visit required for sole proprietorships and partnerships.
How to Register a Business in Malaysia with SSM
Step 1: Choose the Right Business Structure
SSM offers four main structures. Pick the right one before you start — changing structure later means re-registering as a new entity.
| Structure | Who It’s For | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship (Enterprise) | Individual sellers, freelancers, one-person businesses | RM 60/year | Most online sellers starting out |
| Conventional Partnership | Two or more individuals sharing a business | RM 60/year | Friends or family starting a business together |
| Limited Liability Partnership (PLT) | Partners who want liability protection | RM 500 (one-time) | Service businesses with multiple partners |
| Private Limited Company (Sdn Bhd) | Growth-focused businesses seeking investment or limited liability | RM 1,000+ (one-time) | Businesses planning to scale, raise funding, or hire employees |
For most new online sellers in Malaysia: register as a Sole Proprietorship. It is the cheapest, fastest, and simplest option. You can always convert to Sdn Bhd later if your business grows.
If you are starting with a partner, a Conventional Partnership works the same way via ezbiz at the same RM 60 cost.
Step 2: Check Your Business Name Availability
Before registering, confirm your business name is not already taken.
Go to ezbiz.ssm.com.my and look for the Name Search or Carian Nama function. Enter your intended business name and check whether it is available.
SSM rules for business names:
- Name must not be identical to an existing registered business
- Name must not be offensive or misleading
- For sole proprietorships, you can use your own full IC name (no name search needed in that case)
- Symbols, punctuation, and most special characters are not allowed
If your intended name is taken, try variations: add your city (“KLFashionCo”), your initials, or a descriptive suffix (“TechRepairKL”).
Step 3: Create Your ezbiz Account
Go to ezbiz.ssm.com.my and click New Registration or Pendaftaran Baru.
Enter your:
- MyKad number (12-digit IC number, no dashes)
- Name as shown on your IC
- Email address
- Malaysian mobile number
You will receive an OTP via SMS to verify your number. Enter the OTP, create a password, and your ezbiz account is active.
Important: Log in immediately after registration. Some users find their account requires email verification before the dashboard loads.
Step 4: Start a New Business Registration
After logging in, navigate to New Business Registration (Pendaftaran Perniagaan Baru).
Select your business type:
- Borang A — Sole Proprietorship / Perniagaan Tunggal
- Borang B — Partnership / Perkongsian
- PLT — Limited Liability Partnership
For most new online sellers, select Borang A (Sole Proprietorship).
Step 5: Fill in Your Business Details
The registration form asks for:
- Business name — the name you checked in Step 2; or your own IC name if you opted for that
- Business nature / code — select the code that best describes your business activity. Online retail sellers typically use codes under Retail Trade or Wholesale and Retail Trade. For general online selling, search “retail” in the code lookup field.
- Business address — this becomes your official registered address. Your home address is acceptable.
- Date of commencement — the date your business started operating. You can backdate by up to 3 months, or use today’s date.
- Owner details — these pre-fill from your MyKad information
Review every field before moving to payment. Errors here require a formal amendment (Pindaan) after registration, which costs RM 20.
Step 6: Pay the Registration Fee Online
After reviewing your details, proceed to payment. For a Sole Proprietorship, the fee is RM 60 per year.
ezbiz accepts:
- Debit card (Visa, Mastercard)
- Credit card
- FPX online banking (direct bank transfer from most Malaysian banks)
After successful payment, ezbiz generates a transaction reference number. Save this — you will need it if you need to contact SSM about your application.
Step 7: Download Your Certificate
Most sole proprietorship registrations are approved within 30 minutes to a few hours. You will receive an email notification when your certificate is ready.
Log in to ezbiz, go to My Applications, and download your Sijil Pendaftaran Perniagaan (Business Registration Certificate). Save a digital copy and print at least one physical copy — businesses, landlords, and platform accounts may ask for it.
Your SSM certificate includes:
- Your business registration number (e.g., “SS0123456-A”)
- Registered business name
- Business address
- Business nature
- Registration and expiry date
Renewal reminder: Sole proprietorship certificates are valid for one year from the date of commencement. Set a calendar reminder for your renewal date. Late renewal incurs a RM 20 penalty.
Step 8: Use Your SSM Certificate
With your certificate, you can now:
- Open a business bank account — most Malaysian banks require your SSM certificate to open a business account. A business account keeps your personal and business finances separate, which simplifies taxes.
- Upgrade to a corporate seller account on Shopee, Lazada, or TikTok Shop — this unlocks higher limits and displays a verified business badge that builds buyer trust
- Register for a business payment account with payment gateways like iPay88, Billplz, or Stripe Malaysia
- Claim business expenses when filing your income tax with LHDN
Once your SSM registration is done and your business account is set up, the next step is choosing the right selling platform. Our guide on how to start an online business in Malaysia walks you through platform selection, payment setup, and your first sale strategy.
Common Mistakes When Registering with SSM Malaysia
1. Choosing Sdn Bhd when Sole Proprietorship is enough New sellers sometimes register as Sdn Bhd because it sounds more legitimate. For a one-person online shop with under RM 500,000 in annual revenue, a Sole Proprietorship is simpler, cheaper, and has fewer compliance requirements. Sdn Bhd comes with mandatory annual returns, audit requirements, and company secretary fees. Start simple.
2. Entering the wrong business commencement date The commencement date is when you started trading — not today’s date if you have been selling for months. ezbiz allows backdating by up to 3 months. If you have been selling longer than that, use the earliest date within the 3-month window to minimise technical non-compliance.
3. Using a personal bank account for business income Your SSM registration establishes your business as a legal entity. Mixing personal and business transactions in the same bank account complicates your annual tax filing with LHDN, especially as revenue grows. Open a business account once your certificate is issued.
4. Forgetting to renew annually Sole proprietorship certificates expire every year. SSM does not send automatic renewal reminders by default. A lapsed registration means you are legally operating without registration — which carries fines. Set a reminder in your calendar for 3 weeks before your renewal date.
5. Not matching your registered name to platform accounts If your Shopee or Lazada corporate seller account is registered under one name but your SSM certificate shows a different name, platform verification fails. Make sure your business name is consistent across SSM, your bank account, and your seller platform accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register a business in Malaysia with SSM?
Go to ezbiz.ssm.com.my and create an account using your MyKad number. Log in, choose ‘New Business Registration’, select your business type, fill in your business details, pay the fee online, and download your certificate. Sole proprietorship registration costs RM 60 per year and is usually approved within 30 minutes.
How much does SSM registration cost in Malaysia?
A sole proprietorship costs RM 60 per year. A conventional partnership costs RM 60 per year. A Limited Liability Partnership costs RM 500 as a one-time fee. A private limited company (Sdn Bhd) costs RM 1,000 or more in registration fees. All fees are paid online.
Do I need SSM registration to sell online in Malaysia?
Yes, if you are selling online regularly for profit. Malaysian law under the Registration of Businesses Act 1956 requires business registration for anyone conducting trade for profit. Selling occasional personal items is exempt. An active online shop that restocks products or buys to resell requires SSM registration.
How long does SSM business registration take in Malaysia?
Online sole proprietorship registration via ezbiz.ssm.com.my is typically approved within 30 minutes to a few hours. The certificate downloads immediately after approval. Company (Sdn Bhd) registration takes 1 to 3 business days.
Can I register an SSM business online without visiting an office?
Yes. SSM’s ezbiz portal allows full online registration for sole proprietorships and partnerships. You need only your MyKad, a Malaysian mobile number, and a payment method. No office visit is required.
Your business is registered. One milestone down.
Your next step: use your SSM certificate to open a business bank account, then decide which platform you want to sell on. Start with our platform comparison for Malaysian sellers — it covers Shopee, Shopify, and EasyStore side by side with local pricing.
Not sure where to start? Take the StoreStarter Scorecard — 5 questions, 2 minutes, and you get a direct recommendation for your situation.