Menu
Expat.com

Will I have problems shipping to Malaysia from Australia?

Last activity 17 May 2021 by Sindebad

Post new topic

reader626

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of using Auspost to send some stuff to a friend in Malaysia, the items include:
A pair of sneakers
A bluetooth mouse
A google home mini
Make up
Clothes

Will there be any potential problems?

Many thanks

cvco

I dont think so, no.

To the extent that there is even a check of goods by Customs, there are really only two categories of items that create trouble (apart from obvious trouble like drugs and guns). First is pornography (a Barbie doll wearing a bikini is pornography and would be seized) and the second are commercial goods on which taxes should be paid. Sending a friend a consignment of 50 kitchen blenders isnt a birthday present. But personal things, household things, things in which larger quantities is absent, I dont see any trouble, delays or taxes.

All countries have a common list of prohibited items like fruits, meat, flammables but aside from that, Malaysia is pretty permissive for a Muslim country. Import taxes MAY become a problem when the declared value of items is above USD125 but thats usually involving commercial goods meant for resale.

So, on the package list the contents and values. The package may or may not be inspected. In the pandemic, there are fewer postal workers so shipping processes might be delayed.

Thats about all I can think of at 4AM.

reader626

Thank you so much. I remember reading something about needing a permit for technology as well so i was worried :)

cvco

It depends what, and I wouldnt know all categories of "tech" as they define it. I have had all common tech sent here like computers, phones, radios and never paid any tax or was presented with any application for a tech permit. Then again, a permit was required for someone I knew to bring in a washing machine and I honestly dont know why. Maybe the recipient needs to visit a Customs office and discuss the list before you send it but I saw nothing suspect or worth noting. I personally do not believe you are risking anything by simply sending the box. *IF* there is an inspection and *IF* there is a problem, its likely the recipient will be notified to go to the Customs office and the box will be re-opened with the recipient present and then the matter is discussed. That happened to me once when I had purchased 2000 pieces of parts for my work and I had to pay some tax, and only because the attached commercial invoice was over the free allowance of USD125. The concern by Customs is 1000 Ipads in a crate, not one Ipad as part of household items or gifts. In fact, since 1996 there has been no tax or restrictions on computers and related except again, as part of a commercial scheme like shop inventory.

That said, small Customs matters are also often handled by the post office. You get a notice in your mailbox to go and collect an incoming package. At the post office, they look up the package in notices to the post office by Customs. If there is a tax or anything, they handle it right there.

Sindebad

Your friend will have to go or call the customs, if they ever answer the phone. Your friend will get a notice from Malaysian Post to clear customs. I had similar items shipped to me from China and I had to pay custom duty of 30% on the items and 20% on shipping cost plus taxis 2 ways to customs office of about RM160. So my friend to get my items it cost me more than they worth, because there were no invoice with the items, so the custom decided their value. My God, I will never do that again. It is highway robbery.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Malaysia

  • Phones and Internet in Malaysia
    Phones and Internet in Malaysia

    Malaysians are known to be social media addicts, so there's no shame if internet access is one of your main ...

  • Driving in Malaysia
    Driving in Malaysia

    You are moving to Malaysia and want to drive for work or travel there? Follow our guide!

  • Kuala Lumpur's neighbourhoods
    Kuala Lumpur's neighbourhoods

    Kuala Lumpur is a real megalopolis, surrounded by suburbs and neighborhoods so different from each other that they ...

  • Buying property in Kuala Lumpur
    Buying property in Kuala Lumpur

    When you plan to move to another country or another city, your first concern is undoubtedly where you are going to ...

  • Internships in Malaysia
    Internships in Malaysia

    Are you a student or recent graduate who wishes to develop your expertise while experiencing a work environment ...

  • The Malaysian lifestyle
    The Malaysian lifestyle

    Malaysia is such a melting pot of geographical, cultural and social diversity that there is something for ...

  • Pregnancy and childbirth in Malaysia
    Pregnancy and childbirth in Malaysia

    It is not always very easy to give birth to a child when you are far from your country and the support of your ...

  • Expat death in Malaysia
    Expat death in Malaysia

    The loss of a loved one is always a painful ordeal, but also often complicated for those left behind, especially ...

All of Malaysia's guide articles