Customs Regulations in Malaysia

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Passport (copy of photograph page, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd pages and stamped by immigration - date of entry)
• Work Permit
• Visa for Employment and Residence
• Customs Form No. 1 (eight copies) signed by customer
• Letter from employer in Malaysia stating reason for import, job function and approximate duration of stay
• Inventory (original or a copy ) must correspond EXACTLY to contents of shipment
• Separate list of electrical items, appliances and new items. (Not to be omitted from the inventory. Please clearly state the brand, model, country of origin, voltage and price.)
• Letter of Authorization to Destination Agent, signed by customer, to clear shipment

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• CUSTOMER MUST BE IN THE COUNTRY AT TIME OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE TO SIGN DOCUMENTS
• All shipments subject to 100% Customs examination
• Used household goods duty-free if:
  • Customer has owned goods for a minimum of three months and will not dispose of them for at least six months
  • Customer is a foreigner holding a Work Permit or
  • Customer is a Malaysian who has been out of the country for a continuous period over 12 months

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• All electrical items require Import Permit
• All items less than six months old are taxed and dutiable (original invoices with value are required)
• Video cassettes and films
  • Subject to review by the Film Censorship Board
  • Additional charges are for the customer's account
• Precious metal objects
• Plants require Phytosanitary Certificate and approval from the Ministry of Agriculture
• Computers are tax free, limited to no more than three imported per family, cannot be sold within one year of import, and require an Import License
• Alcohol and cigarettes are subject to high import duties

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Firearms, dangerous weapons, fireworks, explosives, ammunition and knives
• Narcotics and drugs (violators subject to Death Penalty)
• Foodstuffs
• Pornographic or politically sensitive material (in the form of books, videos, films, etc.)
• Gold bullion
• Telephone and fax equipment (permit required)
• Short wave radios
• Satellite dish
• Nothing from Israel is allowed into Malaysia
• Any literature on communism is prohibited

MOTOR VEHICLES

• Import highly discouraged
• All motor vehicles (new or used) are subject to Customs duties, are highly taxed and require an Import Permit
• The permit must be granted before the vehicle is shipped
• Motor vehicles over five years old are prohibited
• Documents required:
  • Original ownership certificate
  • Customs Form No. 1 (eight copies)
  • Insurance Policy
  • Original and copy of passport of owner
  • Letter from owner stating reason to import vehicles
  • Invoice, if vehicle is new

PETS

• Dogs/cats/birds are permitted and require an Import Permit (prior to the animal's arrival)
• Health Certificate (issued within seven days of flight, and must state that animal comes from a rabies free area)
• Vaccination Certificate required (must show proof that vaccination was administered between 30 to 180 days prior to the flight)
  • Must note breed, age, color, name of pet and owner and flight details
• One month quarantine (minimum one week advance notice required for kennel/quarantine space)
  • After two weeks animal may be released to spend the remainder of the quarantine time at home in quarantine