CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

• In order for pets to enter Malaysia, an import permit must be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security.
• The permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
• The animal must be accompanied by a valid health certificate issued by a Veterinarian from the country of origin.
• Dogs, cats and birds must be examined by a Government veterinarian at the port of arrival.
• The animal will be subject to quarantine.

For more information, please visit the Malaysian Foreign Affairs.

Free to Import

The following duty free exemptions are applicable to non-residents who are intending to visit Malaysia for more than 72 hours, and residents of Malaysia who have been abroad for more than 72 hours.

Alcohol

• 1 litre of alcohol.

Currency

• Travellers may import Malaysian Ringgits up to an amount equivalent to US$10,000.
•  There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that may be imported into Malaysia.
• Funds exceeding US$10,000 or an equivalent amount must be declared.

Other Goods

• Up to 3 pieces of new clothing and 1 new pair of footwear.
• 1 personal electronic per traveller.
• Food products up to RM75 in value.
• Other goods, including gifts and souvenirs up to a value of RM400. Goods from Langkawi, Pulau, Tioman or Labuan may be up to a value of RM500.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Illicit drugs including morphine, heroin, and marijuana. The penalty for drug smuggling is death by hanging.
• Counterfeit currency.
• Indecent printings, paintings, photographs, and other media.
• Any device intended to be prejudicial to the interests of peace of Malaysia.
• Piranha fish.
• Turtle eggs.
• Cocoa pods, rambutans, pulasans, longans, and nam nam fruit from the Philippines and Indonesia.
• Intoxicating liquors containing more than 3.46 milligrams per litre of any lead or copper compound.
• Daggers and flick knives.
• Broadcast receivers capable of receiving radio communication within the ranges (68-87) MHz and (108-174) MHz.
• Sodium arsenate.
• Cloth bearing the imprint or duplicate of any verses of the Quran.
• Articles resembling syringes.
• Poisonous chemicals.
• Lightning arresters containing radioactive material.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Eggs.
• Live animals and their derivative products, including meat, hides, and horns.
• Animal oils and fats.
• Live fish.
• Coral, whether alive or dead.
• Plants and their derivative products.
• Explosives and fireworks.
• Imitation arms and hand grenades.
• Arms and ammunition other than personal arms and ammunition imported by a bona fide traveller.
• Bullet proof vests, steel helmets, and other articles of clothing intended for defensive purposes.
• Safety helmets, with the exception of motorcycle helmets.
• Soil and live pests, including rats, snails, insects, and pests injurious to plants.
• Batik sarong.
• Rice and padi including rice products.
• Equipment able to be connected to a public telecommunication network.
• Radio communication being used to telecommunication in the frequency lower the 3000 GHz.
• Saccharin and its salt.
• Parabola antenna for outdoor use.
• Household and agricultural pesticides.
• Electric domestic equipment that uses 50 volt or 120 volt Dc or more.
• Toxic and hazardous wastes.
• Equipment for brewing beer at home.
• Pharmaceutical products.

You can find an extensive list of prohibited and restricted goods here.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

• Turtle eggs.
• Rattan from the Peninsula of Malaysia.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to departure.

• Live animals, with the exception of domestic animals.
• Meat from bovine species.
• Poultry.
• Cockles.
• Plants, including orchids.
• Vegetables in excess of 3kg.
• Palm kernels and seeds.
• Arms, ammunition, and military clothing.
• Antiquities as defined by Malaysian law.
• Sugar and rice.
• Coral.
• Live prawns, shrimp, and fish.
• Collections of zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, historical, archaeological, or numismatic interest.
• Travellers may export Malaysian Ringgits up to an amount equivalent to US$10,000.
•  There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that may be exported from Malaysia.
• Funds exceeding US$10,000 or an equivalent amount must be declared.

For further information, please visit the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.