The Customs Department of Malaysia launched Operation Food and Beverages (F&B) Registration 2026 nationwide on May 11 to identify unregistered food and beverage service providers and boost compliance with the Service Tax Act 2018 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The operation covers all Malaysian states and will run until July 10 [1, 2, 3, 4].
The drive targets companies and individuals providing prepared or served food or drinks subject to service tax under Group B of the regulations. This includes restaurants, bars, snack bars, canteens, coffee houses, catering services, and businesses with government catering contracts [1, 2, 3, 4]. However, canteens in educational institutions and those operated by religious bodies or institutions are excluded [2].
As of May 2026, 11,604 food and beverage service providers have registered for service tax, making up around 10.98% of the 105,681 total registrants required under the Service Tax Act 2018 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Customs deputy director-general Siti Mang, who launched the operation at the Seberang Jaya Customs Complex, said the effort "serves not only as an enforcement drive but also as an outreach initiative to improve understanding of service tax regulations among industry players" [2].
Public announcements and press events were held on May 20, including a ceremony again at the Seberang Jaya Customs Complex, to promote the registration drive [1, 3, 4]. The Customs Department is using the registration drive to raise awareness and encourage voluntary compliance among F&B service providers, with the goal to increase national revenue and support Malaysia's economic development [1, 3, 4].
The nationwide registration operation is scheduled to conclude on July 10 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Customs officials will monitor participation and follow up on unregistered providers after that date.
