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Silly Me

The Stupid Things I Did At The Malaysian Custom

A supposed to be surprised MMS to Cynthia but the telecom network failed to deliver

You wouldn’t believe what I did at the Malaysian Custom last Friday.

When I was young and needed to travel overseas on my own, my dad always made sure that all the new items I carried across the border would have the original packaging removed.  Each and every item.  As I grow older, I deduce that if the items are for self use, it is OK to carry them over from one country to another.  Where does the line being drawn?  I have no clue.  I am sure travellers visit places overseas and buy souvenirs for friends.  Some are pretty big ticket items (like the Swiss watches).  Who would shop overseas and declare all their goods at the Custom and get themselves taxed?

Seriously?

Last Friday morning, as Cynthia left our home and headed to the airport, she smiled at me and said, “See you in Malaysia tonight!”  I smiled back and said, “No no no!  See you in Singapore next week!”.  The truth was, I did not give Cynthia a firm yes that I would drive all the way and visit her over the weekend.  Call it a semi-surprise visit or an internal struggle yet to be sorted out.  I hadn’t even packed my bag that early Friday morning.

I knew she has to work over the weekend and I have thousand and one things I could do in Singapore.  But then … why not make someone happy and besides, I always love a little adventure.  I had no idea where and how to get to PJ Hilton.

So I packed my bag in a hurry (still needed to go to work for half a day), brought along a new brainless book, grabbed my Spanish classical guitar, and … that should be enough to keep myself entertained.

Except, I had this sudden urge to attempt to write some songs during this road trip and I have stumbled upon a nice neat toy a while back that condenses the entire home recording studio into a hand-held device!  I just had to buy that before heading to Malaysia!

Fast forward to the Malaysian Custom, one friendly officer asked me to open the car boot and he pointed at my shopping bag and asked, “What is it inside?”

“Erm … it’s a recorder,” I replied gingerly and already cursing my own stupidity.

He took it out from my shopping bag and clearly had no idea what it was.  It is definitely not something you can commonly see in all good electronic stores.  Carrying with him my brand new toy, he consulted his group of officers (must be like 6 or 7 of them gathering by the desk … very intimidating!)

“You need a permit for this,” he smiled.

In any other given days, I would have loved his friendly smile.  I said, “I don’t understand.  It is just a recorder.  More like a MP3 player!”

“I know, I know!  Well, you will need a permit in order to bring this into Malaysia.  But I shall tax you instead.  It is much better that way,” he said.

“Tax me?!  But it is for my own use!” I gently protested.

“Do you have a receipt?” he asked.

Now, how stupid I was?!  I could have said: no, but I remember it cost 10 bucks.  Instead, I passed him the receipt.  He took out a calculator, punched in some numbers, and said, “The tax is 30% and that will be RM 175.”

I was nearly in tears!  I pleaded with him that I bought it just before lunch and I planned to use it to record my guitar this evening (I didn’t dare to show him my mint condition S$1,500 guitar at the back seat that has a receipt inside … the best place to keep a receipt is with the item itself, no?).  I even tried to strike up a conversation with him on music.  To tell you the truth, he must be the most sympathetic and friendly Malaysian Custom officer I have ever met.

After much deliberation with all sort of analogies I could think of (he was very patience too!), he did not bulge and kept telling me that he was just doing his job.  Reluctantly, I took out my wallet ready to hand him RM 175.  He was taken aback and said, “Don’t you want a receipt?  You have to pay the tax over there.”  He pointed at somewhere far.

That’s it.  I wasn’t going to walk!  It would be a walk of shame!  And I would be haunted by this stupid moment of mine for the rest of my life!  I counter suggested that I should just throw away the packaging right here right now.  He was shocked slightly and smile, “Sorry Sir, I have already seen the box!”

“But it doesn’t matter!  I will rip the box apart.  And you won’t see it again!  Besides, I wouldn’t be able to sell that in Malaysia right?” I insisted.  OK, my heart would bleed because I do keep all my toys inside the original packages all the time.  But between RM 175 and heart pain, I would choose the latter.

As I attempted to take the box from his hand, he stopped me and said, “Let me ask my supervisor.”

The supervisor looked really cold and stern.  Actually he did look very scary.  I was not sure if I could muster enough courage to face him.

The officer presented my case.  the supervisor kept quiet at first and then let out one command in Malay.  He didn’t even bother to look at me!  The officer returned and asked, “What passport are you holding?”

Huh?!  Now only you ask that from me?!

“Singaporean passport!” I held my breath.

“Next time, please don’t do that again,” he said.  I was in such a relief that I even shook his hands!

Gosh, isn’t that a bit out of proportion?!  30% tax?!  For something that I actually use.  Lesson learned.  Always listen to what daddy say.  He has more grey hair than me for a reason.

57 replies on “The Stupid Things I Did At The Malaysian Custom”

I have many such ‘horror’ stories of Malaysian custom officers to tell. I try not to go to Malaysia if I could, I hate the customs. It’s always about money when they see my red passport. Hate it. Hate it. Hate it.

Wilfrid,

Obviously he was trying to wear out your patience in the hope that you will hand over some undercounter coffee money to him instead of paying for the official tax/fine which does not benefit him at all.

For most of us seasoned travellers to Malaysia, there are many ways to deal with such customs/police officers. But first of all remember not lose your temper with them. There is always an ego with these enforcement officers.

If you are patient enough, try to outdo their patience by not agreeing to tax/fine imposed. The longer they have to deal with you, the better chance would be that they will let you go ultimately because it will mean lost opportunities to catch other fishes.

Remember your rights as a foreigner visiting another country, especially regarding duty payable items or fines for traffic violations.

If I am not mistakened, items brought in for personal use should not be taxed unless it is still in original packing. Even then, you can argue that it is meant to be a free gift as there is no dutible tax on personal gifts costing a certain amount & below.

There is also no dutible tax on personal computers, notebooks or battery-operated equipment, so if you bring in your LCD TV, try to explain that it is actually a PC monitor.

At the end of the day if you can’t win them, just don’t be prepared to pay for whatever the amount asked. There is always room for bargaining and if you bother to ask whether there is any other way for them to help you reduce the amount payable, you be amazed how helpful they can be in reducing your financial burden!

Wow.. That’s crazy.. I didn’t know that you had to go through that with your new recorder, to visit me… 🙁

Nothing to do with Malaysian customs: it is the same everywhere.
Customs and Immigration are the place where bad luck screws you.

I do agree with you even I was a malaysian. Feel Shame with my country! i also get pissed off when i met with such greedy officer !

Motd – I am not so sure you know. Honestly speaking, bribing an officer in broad daylight was the last thing in my mind. I always not sure if they will turn the table around and charge me for bribery!

ECL – Actually, I have crossed that borders quite a number of times and usually it is OK. It didn’t cross my mind that I have to be mindful for an item that only worths a couple of hundred dollars.

Alan – Thanks for your advice! Fortunately, I didn’t loose my patience with them as I am usually a patience man. It was hard for me as I really have no clue about their rules so there wasn’t any basis for argument anyway.

I seriously wasn’t sure if they were asking for coffee money and I doubt if I could bring myself to bribe them in broad daylight.

But I will bear in mind how to ask them to help me lessen the ‘financial burden’ … ha ha ha.

It appears that the officer was above board, that’s why he told you to pay at the payment counter and not to him. He could also con you by asking for something after he had got the green light from his supervisor to let you off with a warning not to do it again, but he didn’t. You should thank him instead of running him down. He was actually doing his job, honestly.
Perhaps in future, you could have ask him for the temporary import facility if you are willing to do some paper work. (There is also an international system known as ATTA Carnet procedure which is adopted world-wide).

Siowgoo – Maybe my message was not conveyed properly. I lamented on the stupid things that I did over the Custom. Not intend to run the office down.

I guess I am more puzzled at the system. People do shopping overseas. Some spend lots of money on shoes and clothes and etc. What I was bringing across the border was a portable recording device and I am not sure why do I need a permit for it. Also, the value of the good was not high at all.

Cynthia – Ah, not to worry. I have put that behind the moment I stepped onto the accelerator and left the checkpoint. After all, no harm done 🙂 Hopefully I will get smarter after this event though.

Char – I guess some countries are more transparent than others. And it has to do with the corruption rate as well. But ya, sometimes it is just pure bad luck.

Now I shall shun away from Malaysian customs. I have not visited for more than 5 yrs… and this is holding me back! heee….can you post a picture of THE … “suspicious character” ? Ha!

I never visit Malaysia unless I have to because of this.

During CNY, we do give the custom people Ang Pows.

Do you know that a few of my Singapore friends have been taxed for GST at the Changi Airport customs because they obviously did ALOT of shopping?

You are not supposed to bring in goods more than $500 I think. If you do, hide it well!

You mean he saw your red Singapore passport and he let you off?
Interesting!

The customs in Vietnam usually treat me like crap till they see my red passport. Cos my passport cover is in green and from far, it looks like a Vietnamese passport.
Pfffftttttttttt.

oh… in fact, you are quite brave to ‘negotiate’ with them for so long already…

ya… bribing in broad daylight doesn’t sound so safe… no worth to take that risk for an issue which can be solved by money…

I heard from my boss that the Malaysian Custom conducts the check tightly, esp for CD and DVD…

ya… just remember our parents’ teaching to remove all the packaging and price tag before we pass the Custom… 😉

P.S. Is it a soft toy appeared in your photo? Looks cute… 🙂

Tigerfish – I guess it is just my luck. I do like the highland resorts in Malaysia though. And Penang as well. Just going through the checkpoint could be a hassle. The KLIA (airport) is much better though. More International I guess.

G – Really?! You gave Custom people ang pows? Why?!

I think because my passport is red, I am not a resident in Malaysia. So in a way, there is lesser reason to ‘tax’ me. I thought what they did kind of make sense.

Next time in Vietnam, I must wave my red passport so that they won’t treat me like shit. Ha ha ha.

Lora – Well, I did not really intend to negotiate. I was more trying to explain myself but you know me, somehow it took a long time for me to get to a point. Ha ha ha.

PS. That thingie belongs to Cynthia (sshhhh). I was trying to take a picture and send it to Cynthia. Because I didn’t give her a firm answer to visit or not, I thought the image would have said it all. Unfortunately, the telecommunication network in Malaysia did not quite work the way I wish it to be.

Haha. Sorry, when I read about your encounter, I was laughiing cos I found it hilarious though it must have been frustrating at that time. Anyway, glad things went well after that and it is soooooooooooo sweet of you to think of taking that pic and sending it to her! I like that!

JT – Ha ha ha … it was a pretty hilarious encounter. Though I must say, during that time without knowing which way the situation would turn, it was pretty nerve wrecking for me.

hi ya! My fren send me your site since you have a similiar case like me.
I go to singapore by train! and bought a audio interface and is my 1st time buying stuff from oversea… so I have no idea about the tax stuff!
so they same charge me 30% for the stuff~
and so is 150SGD
I’ve no cash to pay it and they rushing me because the train gonna go off soon~ So now they keep my stuff and have to pay the tax to get back my stuff in 30 days~
If we take off the box they wont charge any tax?

Michael – So, the Malaysia custom is holding your audio interface till you return to pay the tax?! That’s extortion!

I guess my best advice is to check out the comments written by Alan above. He has some thoughts on what you may wish to do. Meanwhile, I think you may also wish to read up a bit on what rights you have.

Best of luck!

Here’s another advice, My GF just depart from KLIA airport on 14th apr and the custom office seized her make-up+facial set worth more then rm1000 saying it is due to security reason and didnt offer her a receipt so that she can collect when she come back. Make Sure you check in your SK II and other facial set when you fly out of KLIA. Now still waiting for their reply on this issue. I think most likely she burn her rm1000 8(

Jason G – Wow, that is a lot of money. Isn’t it the new International airport rule saying that we cannot carry more than 100 ml per liquid type (such as face wash, shaving cream, etc) onto the plane and have to keep them in a clear bag? I can’t remember what the limit is and suddenly, all the travellers now have to get those little plastic bottles. Talk about environmentally friendliness.

But still, due to the value of the product, the Custom should offer a way for the passengers to claim these items back when they return. I would be very upset otherwise.

Best of luck (for your GF)! Or you may have a set of expensive presents to buy 🙂

i just got a letter from the malaysian customs and they asked me to drive down to their jb office to pick up a box that my friend sent to me.

i hate malaysian customs dept. i googled “stupid malaysian customs” and this is the first of the many results.

finally did u bring yr 42″ TV back? how to settle? i just worry now bcoz i just won a 42″ TV as lucy draw and very heacache how to bring back to JB, give me some advise.

Leo – I am not entirely sure. I have a feeling that if you are to bring a TV in original packaging, the Customs will certainly tax you. Because they would claim that you can sell it in Malaysia.

Any chance to re-wrap it and make it looks like a used item? In a sense, even if you are taxed – touch wood – you can name a nominal sum, like S$200. Hope this help. Let us know your experience.

Cheers.

Friend,

I’m a malaysian. But I hate the way they “practice” 1000 x more than you. Do you know after you paid them the RM175 and where did the money go? Tata….! went into their own pocket. You should pay for the tax and request for the Digital Printed receipt. Those lazy bastards “earn” their money in that way.
I faced the similar case as yours. I bought a mattress for my own use before and it cost me S$1750. Although the packageing was already removed and I claimed that it was a gift from my friend. The officer still charged me 30% of “TAX” due to I didn’t have the receipt with me. I lied to them saying that that item only cost few hundred bucks. They confidently “judged” that it’s worth more than that. They even signed me do I need any help. For sure I understood what they meant. I show them my wallet with S$200 inside. Believe it or not? They were laughing there and said “Mana ada cukup”….means not enought at all. End up the custom retained my item because I didn’t have “enough” cash for them.
The conclusion is : If they want money, they will find thousand ways to get it from you. Especially period before Hari Raya. They are more “hungry” They are just a kind of asshole in the world.

Mervin – Wow, I am sorry to hear that. Did you manage to get back your mattress? It is so strange that they have this 30% tax while so far in Malaysia, there is no goods and services added tax yet right? You are right. If they want money and if the system does not stop them from taking cash from travelers, they will find ways to do that.

I was told by some good kastam officer toys total below RM400 not taxable. some greedy kastam officer will tax me even if the toys is only Singapore DOllar 2 from flea market. they ask for receipt, I say flea market don even give plastic bag, where got receipt. please teach me what to do with the greedy one. may GOD bless the honest kastam officer.

Kok Leong – That is a pretty funny conversation you had with the officer!

You are right. There are some good officers who are doing their jobs. Some are just hopeless. OK. I didn’t know that RM400 is not taxable (I think we have the same in Singapore dollar for importing from say Amazon.com?). It is good to know! Cheers.

Hi All, I got a new trick now.
1) when ever you receive a USPS, there is abig sticker, remove it but keep the base paper. the smooth paper where sticky paper sticks on.
2) then Each time you shop at Malaysia, use a lighter to heat up the price tag and remove it with a blade. Then paste and reserve it on the smooth paper. Keep the plastic bag and receipt also.
3) when ever you have anything carry from SG to MY, remove the SG price tag and paste the MY price tag on it.
4) the price must be reasonable also.

I do not call this cheating. Is just a way to prevent from being wrongly taxed by Malaysia Kastam. because they have no rule one. they tax according to their mode and your skin color.

Hi, does any one know will I get tax if I bring my used personal computer which is 24inch iMac through the custom?!! I’m thinking to take coach/ bus so that I can carry it myself. I will put inside a luggage but I think they will ask me to scan it. But a lot people there is no tax for personal PC, and I really scare got tax.
How should I do that?
Can any one help me pls…

So nothing happened to your guitar then?

This is because I am thinking of bringing my guitar into Malaysia from Singapore and I am taking an express coach.

So I am wondering if I would meet into any trouble at the customs.

I would appreciate some advice….Thank You

HL – So long as it does not appear to be a new packaged item that can be viewed as something for sales, I think that should be OK. I have brought my guitars up to Malaysia for jamming from time to time.

Ok….then I shall place it in an old guitar bag,make it looks a bit shabby and it should be alright.

Thanks by the way.:-)

HL – That should work 🙂

I remember a few times, we loaded a lot of music equipment and drove to PJ Hilton to jam with our friends (in a hotel room). We went through the Customs OK. I suppose just don’t mislead them thinking that you are going to sell them (in original packaging) will do 🙂 Good luck!

Guys, your immediate response to my query is highly appreciated. I am an Indian and on a tourist visa to Singapore and Malaysia now. I have bought a 40″LCD TV from Singapore. I need to take this to Malaysia and then from there to India. Will I be charged at the customs? If so, how much? Will I get this as refund when I take the flight from Malaysia to India? My stay in Malaysia is only for 3 days.

Hi, does anyone know if I bring in home recorded TV programs, all are documentary, educational videos from Discivery, Nat Geo channels to Malaysia, will the Malaysia custom fine or consficate all my 50 DVDs?

Hi Woobee, guess is too late to advice now. How did it goes?
I suggest you copy them to a HDD or pendrive, 50DVD is about 50 times 4.7GB 250GB. Get a 1 TeraByte or 500GB HDD, Western D or Trenscend. I am sure the goo dkastam will let you thru, but evil kastam will find away to court case you for cetak rompak (piracy) and lure you into paying them huge amount.

You would have a very different perspective if you were being ‘Chetak Rompaked’ yourself. ….and mate, money don’t buy everything lah!!!

Seen this. First time I seen this corruption at Malaysian customs, they want me to pay for car spare parts mountings, total tax is 90 ringgit. Of course I did not pay them and argue with them as it was just for my car. They say if I ask them nicely they can reduce the duty of 30%.

His name is Naszeen, he still have the check to say car spare parts is taxable. Load of bullshit and I wasted their time over 2 hrs so they can’t “catch” others. Waited for very long until I told them I make u turn without paying a cent and see the look of their faces.

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