If you have been scrolling on your FYP, you probably saw that viral case where Pokémon cards worth over RM100,000 got seized at Changi Airport.
And yes, that whole thing reopened the RM1,000 question that Malaysians always argue about.
Like… what really happens if your shopping haul from overseas crosses the RM1,000 duty free limit? Are you supposed to declare? Will your stuff get taxed? Will they take it away?
Surprise. A lot of Malaysians still blur about this.
Almost everything you bring back can be taxed, FYI
According to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, most items you bring back to Malaysia are actually taxable. Yup, even if you say “personal use only”.
Customs Director General Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin said the only items that are naturally exempted are the ones specifically listed under certain exemption orders.
So if you bought something new overseas, and the total value is more than RM1,000, you are supposed to declare it.
The viral case involving a 25 year old Singaporean man illustrated this clearly.
Although he told officers he had “nothing to declare”, Pokémon cards worth more than RM100,000 were later found in his bag and subsequently confiscated for further investigation.
Okay but what exactly gets taxed when you come home?
Basically, everything that comes in from overseas is considered an import. So it can kena:
- import duty
- excise duty
- sales tax
Unless it falls under these special exemption orders:
- Customs Duty Exemption Order 2017
- Excise Duty Exemption Order 2017
- Sales Tax Exemption Order 2018
These rules decide who qualifies, what items are covered, and how much you can bring in.
Your duty free allowance (air travellers, take note)
If you are flying back to Malaysia, these are the things you can bring in tax free:
- one litre of alcohol
- three new pieces of clothing
- one new pair of shoes
- food items up to RM150
Everything else? Only the first RM1,000 is exempted. After that, the extra amount will be taxed at roughly ten percent.
Yes, your 10 skin care bottles, premium chocolates and tech gadgets from Japan may not be as tax free as you think.
Pokémon cards, K-Pop photocards, sports cards… all taxable
A lot of people did not know this, but collectible cards are considered playing cards under Customs.
So if the total value is more than RM1,000, get ready for triple tax:
- 10 percent import duty
- 10 percent excise duty
- 10 percent sales tax
Even if you swear they are for “personal collection only”, the rules still apply.
You actually have a legal duty to declare stuff
Anis said declaration is not optional. It is the law under the Customs Act 1967.
If you fail to declare:
- taxable goods
- prohibited goods
- excess foreign currency
Customs can confiscate your items and open an investigation.
And guess what gets seized most often?
- branded handbags
- premium clothing
- electronics
- jewellery and luxury watches
- cosmetics
- “gifts” from overseas
- random items your family asked you to buy
Green lane is not a ‘nothing will happen to me’ lane
Many travellers assume the green lane means “they will never check me”. Actually, Customs can still stop you if they feel something is off.
So the safest habit? Before you fly home, check the official JKDM guidelines or call the hotline at 1300 888 500.
Malaysia is even building eCustoms traveller soon
To make things easier, Customs is working with multiple agencies to create a digital declaration system so you can declare and pay online next time. No more panic at the airport counter.
Declare first, regret never
If you are still unsure whether your item should be declared, here is the simple rule almost every frequent traveller follows:
When in doubt, declare. Better safe than kena confiscate or kena tax without warning.
