Hi there, if you come across this post, I know how you are feeling. But don't worry. Below is my experience with Malaysia Custom when order things from oversea. Hope this would help.
I will write it in chronological order so that we know exactly what we should do at each point.
I ordered something from Etsy (US) on Tuesday, 24/09/2019. Everything was fine.
I kept tracking it until it reached KLIA on Wednesday, 02/10/2019, tracking records showed "Custom Clearance". It's still fine at that moment. I just thought, ok, they did their job, nothing to worry about.
Then, on the same day, I saw status update as below:
Right away, I knew something weird happened here. I started searching on internet (thank you, my anonymous friends in lowyat forum). I realized that for parcel (or parcels) that value more than RM400 will be held by custom for clearance and receiver is responsible for paying import tax and duties (if any).
More searching, it turns out that ANY suspicious parcel can be stopped by custom and gone through custom clearance process. People may ask "why?". Well, it's fare actually. When you buy imported goods (in local stores), the import tax and duties are embedded in the price. And you pay for it without knowing. It's also a way to boost domestic goods - it will become cheaper.
Anyway, I am not economic specialist, so please don't judge me. I just explain things in the way I think.
Back to the custom clearance process. On that day - 02/10/2019 - I still not get any words from custom or PosLaju about the detained parcel. However; because I knew what's happening to my parcel, I emailed to PosLaju (cspmih@pos.com.my). I included my issue and parcel tracking number.
Until Thursday - 04/10/2019 - I received email from Pos Malaysia (or PosLaju? I don't know. I am not local resident so I don't know the difference). The email said that my parcel was held by custom and I need to clear tax. There are 3 options:
1a. Appoint Pos Msia to do the clearance for you. And deliver to your doorstep. (RM48 Agent fee and RM50 Special delivery fee - sounds pricey? Don't worry, it's not that expensive. I will explain later).
1b. Appoint Pos Msia to do the clearance for you. Self collect at nearest Pos.
2. Self clearance. They will inform what documents you need to bring.
3. Appoint another agent.
I selected option 1a and replied back to Pos Msia (with requested doc - order receipt and payment receipt).
On Monday - 07/10/2019, Pos Msia emailed back to request for my contact number. Well, it took them almost 2 working days just to realize that they don't have my contact number. Lesson learnt: Remember to include your contact number in the previous email as well.
On Monday also - 07/10/2019, Pos Msia called me to inform the import tax and fees. My parcel value is around RM700, and tax is RM130. Wow! But still, I confirmed to do the clearance. Also, they informed that the fees and tax may change, due to custom's decision. (luckily, it is not that expensive. The initial figure is just to scare you).
On Tuesday, 08/10/2019, I saw this from tracking record (using Pos Msia tracking).
Well, that's fast.
On Wednesday, 09/10/2019, 8:45 in the morning, the postman called me "I will deliver your parcel today. The fee is RM163. Please pay by cash"
I thought why 163? The tax and fees at custom side is already 130. Plus Agent fee and deliver fee. It must be RM200 something. Then at 9:15, the postman arrived at my shipping address. WOW! That's impressive. I paid and signed and got my parcel.
Not know what to say. That's freaking fast. My shipping address is couple blocks from Twin Towers if you may wonder.
Interesting part is the fee listing:
1. Agent fee and delivering: RM87 (instead of RM98 as said by Pos Msia, maybe RM98 is the maximum based on delivering address)
2. Duti Kastam (Duty Custom, I guess. Sorry, I don't understand Bahasa): RM65
3. COD Handling fee: RM5
4. SST 6%: RM 5.5.
TOTAL: 163 (approximately)
Eventually, my parcel reached me. Hope this help with your parcel. I have another parcel coming (and above RM500, me stupid chicken), at least I know what to do now.
If you have any questions, please leave in the comment, I will try to answer. Cheers. And don't worry!
I will write it in chronological order so that we know exactly what we should do at each point.
I ordered something from Etsy (US) on Tuesday, 24/09/2019. Everything was fine.
I kept tracking it until it reached KLIA on Wednesday, 02/10/2019, tracking records showed "Custom Clearance". It's still fine at that moment. I just thought, ok, they did their job, nothing to worry about.
Then, on the same day, I saw status update as below:
More searching, it turns out that ANY suspicious parcel can be stopped by custom and gone through custom clearance process. People may ask "why?". Well, it's fare actually. When you buy imported goods (in local stores), the import tax and duties are embedded in the price. And you pay for it without knowing. It's also a way to boost domestic goods - it will become cheaper.
Anyway, I am not economic specialist, so please don't judge me. I just explain things in the way I think.
Back to the custom clearance process. On that day - 02/10/2019 - I still not get any words from custom or PosLaju about the detained parcel. However; because I knew what's happening to my parcel, I emailed to PosLaju (cspmih@pos.com.my). I included my issue and parcel tracking number.
Until Thursday - 04/10/2019 - I received email from Pos Malaysia (or PosLaju? I don't know. I am not local resident so I don't know the difference). The email said that my parcel was held by custom and I need to clear tax. There are 3 options:
1a. Appoint Pos Msia to do the clearance for you. And deliver to your doorstep. (RM48 Agent fee and RM50 Special delivery fee - sounds pricey? Don't worry, it's not that expensive. I will explain later).
1b. Appoint Pos Msia to do the clearance for you. Self collect at nearest Pos.
2. Self clearance. They will inform what documents you need to bring.
3. Appoint another agent.
I selected option 1a and replied back to Pos Msia (with requested doc - order receipt and payment receipt).
On Monday - 07/10/2019, Pos Msia emailed back to request for my contact number. Well, it took them almost 2 working days just to realize that they don't have my contact number. Lesson learnt: Remember to include your contact number in the previous email as well.
On Monday also - 07/10/2019, Pos Msia called me to inform the import tax and fees. My parcel value is around RM700, and tax is RM130. Wow! But still, I confirmed to do the clearance. Also, they informed that the fees and tax may change, due to custom's decision. (luckily, it is not that expensive. The initial figure is just to scare you).
On Tuesday, 08/10/2019, I saw this from tracking record (using Pos Msia tracking).
On Wednesday, 09/10/2019, 8:45 in the morning, the postman called me "I will deliver your parcel today. The fee is RM163. Please pay by cash"
I thought why 163? The tax and fees at custom side is already 130. Plus Agent fee and deliver fee. It must be RM200 something. Then at 9:15, the postman arrived at my shipping address. WOW! That's impressive. I paid and signed and got my parcel.
Not know what to say. That's freaking fast. My shipping address is couple blocks from Twin Towers if you may wonder.
Interesting part is the fee listing:
1. Agent fee and delivering: RM87 (instead of RM98 as said by Pos Msia, maybe RM98 is the maximum based on delivering address)
2. Duti Kastam (Duty Custom, I guess. Sorry, I don't understand Bahasa): RM65
3. COD Handling fee: RM5
4. SST 6%: RM 5.5.
TOTAL: 163 (approximately)
Eventually, my parcel reached me. Hope this help with your parcel. I have another parcel coming (and above RM500, me stupid chicken), at least I know what to do now.
If you have any questions, please leave in the comment, I will try to answer. Cheers. And don't worry!
Hi i wanna ask the pos malaysia email you themself or you email them first? Cuz i parcel held in custom too ,and dunno what to do
ReplyDeleteHi there, they will send you a letter to your shipping address (a physical letter) with instruction. It will take time. If you want to speed it up, you can send email first and state your problem. Not sure if it still work that way, we're in a strange time.
DeleteHi , I have some parcels held by customs .. the question is .. The items in my parcel is valued at 2300$ .. but the price on my receipt is 1,070$ .. I am worried that if I send the shipping slip and receipt to pos laju will it be a problem ?
ReplyDeleteYes, it would be a problem. The paper within the shipping parcel and your receipt should hold the same value. You can make your receipt matched the shipping parcel's paper?
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned you selected option 1a and replied back to Pos Msia (with requested doc - order receipt and payment receipt). I have two questions. Mind to share what are the requested document other than order receipt and payment receipt. If the payment receipt is in other currency amount is it ok if not Malaysia dollar? Reply soon, thank you :)
Hi, sorry for my late reply, I'm quite busy recently. (1) I don't see they request any doc other than order receipt and payment receipt. (2) receipt is in other currency amount is okay. They can do the conversion themselves to verify.
Deletehey, is there a way i can speak to you privately? i would really appreciate it, i need to clear some doubts i have
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for replying this late. You can reach me through email phanlinh2611@gmail.com (if you still need it)
DeleteHai. If the item's price is less than RM500, is it still entitled to be charge for tax?
ReplyDeleteHow they calculate the import tax?
I have a parcel on the way to Malaysia from UK. I paid for the item and delivery charges.
Hello, if total value of the package (item value and delivery charges) is less than RM500, it is less likely to be entitled for import tax. However; they can randomly pick and inspect if they suspect the market value is higher than declare value. Example: if you order a Chanel bag and declare it less than RM500, it is very suspicious, right?
DeleteThe import tax can vary from 5% to 25% of the total value of the package. (excluding custom fee and etc)
Hi, wanna ask which shipping you choose and how long does it take to reach KL back then? i choose the standard international one but not sure how long it takes to reach Malaysia
ReplyDeleteThank you
Hi. I also picked international standard shipping. It takes around 7-10 working days to reach KL. but you know, this time is different due to covid 19. Keep tracking
DeleteI see, but if I order a few times and the total amount more than RM 500 but each parcel less than rm 400, then I wont kena tax right? planning to use buyandship next time
DeleteHi, if you use buyandship, remember to keep total amount of consolidated parcel under rm 500. I have another entry regarding to buyandship if you're interested.
DeleteIf not using buyandship, just one small note that, if your parcels reach Malaysia in the same batch and total value of all your parcels are more than rm 500, they are subjected to tax. Yes, even when they are in separated boxes. Plan your delivery wisely. Good luck!
Hi, yes I m interested in buyandship if you can send me the link. So basically its ok to use buyandship and wont subjected to tax if several parcel add up more than rm 500
Deletehttps://sillythestraycat.blogspot.com/2020/09/buyandship-malaysia-complete-and-honest.html
DeleteHere you go!
I have an import parcel japan using EMS post malaysia . was held by dun know is it customs or poslaju branch at a location called "1229". saying item can be collected at "1229" Where is this place? How do I pay import tax and get my parcel?
ReplyDeleteVery mysterious.
Hello there. Can I see the full status of the parcel? Your description is quite vague.
DeleteMy parcel value is rm 1000 something .
ReplyDeleteSent from US .
They sent me like this .
Please email invoice to cspmih@pos.com.my to appoint Pos Msia for clearance, PMIH KLIA
What should I do ?
I am first time.
Hi. Yes, please send them invoice (bill of the items you bought). And your personal information (name, phone number, shipping address). PosMsia will call your back to confirm the clearance and fees if any.
DeleteHi. Yes, please send them invoice (bill of the items you bought). And your personal information (name, phone number, shipping address). PosMsia will call your back to confirm the clearance and fees if any.
DeleteHi, recently I bought Korea Dashcam from Korea and ship to Malaysia, the item is around 180USD but I ask the seller to declare as 100USDthe seller can generate invoice with 100USD), so I was receive this msg in tracking "Held by Customs. To appoint POS as agent for clearance arrangements, provide invoice/receipt via efeedback.pos.com.my/#customs" so mean the item is already approve by Custom MY, just they need to declare the item value right? Because this is my first time bought dashcam from Korea, I really no idea legal or not?
ReplyDelete