Malaysia customs regulations

Duty-free allowance

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.

Tobacco limit

One of the following:

• 200 cigarettes;
• or 225 grams of tobacco.

Bringing alcohol

• 1 litre of alcohol.

Cash limit

• 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 items

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 items

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

• There are certain restrictions on the import of pets into Malaysia.
• 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.