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Clearing your belongings through customs in Malaysia

Last activity 16 June 2020 by Pat87

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Priscilla

Hello everyone,

During ones big move abroad, shipping personal belongings to the host country can be stressful. Customs regulations differ from one country to another and you never quite know what to expect when trying to recover your belongings once youre settled. How about helping expats considering moving to Malaysia by answering some questions about custom regulations?

What are the procedures to get your belongings cleared by customs once you have arrived in Malaysia? Who do you have to contact and how do you get in touch with them? How do you go about from there?

How long does this process usually take?

How do you then carry your belongings to your new home?

Are there any items that are restricted by customs in Malaysia?

How much does it cost to get your belongings cleared by customs in Malaysia? Does the cost change depending on the amount or on certain specific items?

Do you think it is better to seek the help of a contractor to get your belongings cleared in Malaysia?

Please share your experience,

Priscilla

IanBlakeley

I used a shipper, much simpler than trying to do this yourself and they're well aware of the regulations and pitfalls. We didn't ship too much and all second-hand stuff, the shippers came to our house packed the boxes, drew up the manifest and at the time we gave a delivery address of my wife's cousin because we had nowhere sorted out. As I recall it was IRO 12 weeks ETA, we flew out, sorted a rental and the changed the delivery address.

The shipment went to Klang, was cleared and collected by a local mover who called us to arrange times. Everything just worked, there was one chair with a broken wheel, I did not claim from insurance as I bought a pack of 5 wheels from the store in Penang for RM10 as I recall. One picture got inadvertently left behind, we called the UK agent and they air-freighted it to us at their cost.

cvco

I never shipped anything. What i couldnt live without I brought in suitcases and then bought whatever else in Malaysia. Its hard to justify shipping when goods are easily replaced here, and of course you may have to ship everything back when you leave. I stored valuable things i wouldnt risk shipping and that has cost dearly over time.

pankajdhaka

Hello there,

May I ask which shipping company did you use? I am planning a relocation and looking for a moving company.

ladivo779

When I shipped my personal belongings from the UK to Malaysia I used Pickfords International and chose door to door service. Since all my belongings were used and nothing new, then I did not have to pay any import tax or customs duties. The goods were delivered to my home in KL with only one item damaged and that was fully refunded by Pickfords based on the item I had put on it in their insurance policy.

Pat87
pankajdhaka wrote:

Hello there,

May I ask which shipping company did you use? I am planning a relocation and looking for a moving company.


hi pankajdahka,
just wondering whether you have found one.  A friend of mine may need to move early next year from Germany to KL.  Would be great if  you could share your experience.

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