Malaysia imposes very stringent laws for drug trafficking. The penalty for drug trafficking is death by hanging. Import and export of illicit drugs (e.g. morphine, heroine, opium, marijuana, etc.) are strictly prohibited.
Prescribed drugs can only be imported into or exported from the country by virtue of a licence issued by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
Under the provision of the Customs Act 1967, travellers entering Malaysia are required to declare all dutiable or prohibited goods in their possession. Failure to declare dutiable or prohibited goods or making false declaration is an offence.
Travellers who visit Malaysia for a period of not less than 72 hours are eligible for a specified amount of customs duties exemption.
Dutiable Goods
Subject to Customs Duties Order, travellers are required to pay customs duty at a flat rate of 30% ad valorem. In the case of alcoholic beverages, tyres, spirits, tobacco, cigarettes and motor vehicles, the rate of duty will be based on prevailing Customs Duties Order.
Duty Exemption Per Traveller
Travellers Exempted:
Residents & Non-residents
Conditions:
Non-residents having the intention to visit Malaysia for not less than 72 hours.
Residents returning after an absence from Malaysia of not less than 72 hours (for Labuan, 24 hours and for Langkawi or Pulau Tioman, 48 hours)
Tobacco not exceeding 225 grams (equal to 200 sticks of cigarettes)
New apparels up to 3 pieces
1 pair of new footwear
Portable electrical or battery operated appliances for personal care and hygiene not exceeding 1 unit each
Foods preparations up to total value not exceeding RM 75
All other goods including gifts and souvenirs other than alcoholic beverages, spirits, tyres, tubes, tobacco, cigarettes and motor vehicles, valued not exceeding RM 400 (goods from Langkawi, Pulau Tioman and Labuan, not exceeding RM 500).
Green / Red Lane Facilities
The Green Lane is for travellers with 'Nothing to Declare' (non-dutiable and non-prohibited goods). Otherwise travellers are required to proceed to the Red Lane and declare the goods.
Penalties For Misusing Green Lane
Under the Customs Act 1967, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of RM 100,000 and/or jail term not exceeding 3 years for the first offence and RM 500,000 and/or jail term not exceeding 5 years for subsequent offence.
EXCHANGE CONTROL ACT 1953
Custom Act 1967
Under the Exchange Control Act 1953, the import / export currency control is deemed to be a matter relating to customs. Thus, failure to declare would result in an offence under the Customs Act 1967.
Permitted Currency Limits (Effective 31 January 2012)
A resident or non-resident are permitted to carry into and out of Malaysia, ringgit notes not exceeding USD 10,000 equivalent per person
There are no limits for a resident or non-resident to carry foreign currency notes and traveller's cheques into and out of Malaysia. However, if total amount exceeds USD 10,000 equivalent, it has to be declared
For a list of prohibition / restriction of exports and imports, and other related custom facilities, go to www.customs.gov.my.
GUIDE FOR TRAVELLERS
