If you are carrying illegal food products and you get caught, you will face the penalty.

Penalty on what? money or ?

UK customs are pretty lax. But I wouldn't take the risk.

you declare on your customs form, walk through the red lane, if there is nobody there, just walk through and out....if they are there, show the card to them, they may want, or NOT want to check...if they confiscate, let them....most of the time, they will wave you through....

they seem to pay more attention to people arriving from the asian subcontinent, africa and the carribeans.....

simple as that...

If you doing thru Maybank by direct transfer, they charge RM25 for each transaction and the receiving bank (Lloyds) charge 12 pounds.

If you transfer above a certain sum, the local bank can give you a discounted rate from the listed exchange rate.

what is 'direct transfer'?....

TT . May need uni admission letter to support. Transfer in the morning, the person will received in a few hours time.

Generally, it refers to electronic funds transfer. For international transfers, it is commonly known as SWIFT transfer.

there is no such thing as a 'direct transfer'.....

the original 'electronic' funds transfer was the telegraphic transfer (hence the name tt), or wire transfer in america...

subsequently, several means of electronic funds transfers are created, called different names in different countries (eg meps in msia)....an international system being the swift....

in addition, with online banking nowadays, it can be done via your secured internet banking as well...

in msia, bank to bank transfers are via giro for domestic transactions, and tt internationally, .....and if to person, systems like western union or moneygram...

hey guys.. how long did u guys have to wait to get your visa after submission? i've been waiting for a little more than a week now. if i turn up at the visa office, do you think i'll be entertained? the guards there seems to a bit hostile and unhelpful

Go bank and ask fastest way AND costs. If need to, got cheaper way or not?

if you go and ask for 'direct transfer' they will stare at you....don't use non-standard terms and confuse people....

for the majority of msian students and parents, there are only 2 ways of funds transfer, like i posted above...

tt is the fastest and cost lots of money.....not recommended unless in an emergency....

normal transfer use the bank draft (also known as bankers cheque) in the currency of your studies, but you need to send the piece of paper physically (eg via post), or carry it with you when you go....only cost rm5, and no charge when banked into your account there....

Tt isnt the best way, for me, i use my maybank atm card to withdraw.
Seriously the rate is almost the same as tt, sometime even cheaper.

It is far more convenience as well.
But only if you are withdraw small amount, like 500£(Maximum i tried was 600£)

that is a good way for quick money as well, but restricted by the usual limits at the ATM, which currently is 600 pounds. There are also charges by the card issuer, and exchange loss by Visa or mastercard....

it is never wise to get yourself into a situation that you urgently needs money...it is always better to plan, and convert when the rate is favourable...

I'm afraid all the banks are the same, no special foreigner privilege.
But you can choose the 1 which is more convenient for you, eg. the branch location.

Regarding HSBC, you have to be a premier account holder to be able to enjoy the privileges in UK, like no monthly charges, and global transfer without charges. You'll need to have HSBC account in both UK and Malaysia, and maintains the premier account status in 1 of the countries.

Great info from Critical Fallacy.
IIRC, my cousin brought Maggi Mee with him before in check-in luggage, no problem. I myself brought before soup packets, Chinese New Year biscuits in check-in luggage, didn't face any problem too.
Meat products are definitely prohibited from bringing into the UK.

But I have to say, it's all up to the customs officers whether they want to stop and check your luggage or not.
So, if you're not sure whether your food falls into the above categories or not, just don't bring it there, don't take the risk.
Before you departing for UK, just check whether there's any Asian stores or not in the area you're staying at. If there are, you might be surprised by the amount of products they selling in their shop.
Last time when I was in Bristol, there's 1 Asian store which is 10 mins driving distance from my place. And I found Maggi, 100 plus, Milo etc. in it.

It should take around 1 week, but it can be up to 2 weeks isn't it, the maximum period? Did you get any reference number which you can use for tracking the application process online? Or maybe there's phone number for you to call in? I think there's no need to go to the office, they don't have an inquiry counter if I'm not mistaken.

thanks for d reply. just got the email saying the visa would be ready for collection in 3 days.. w00tzzzzz

Still looking for forummers in the UK wanting to meet up for lunch in London during december.

i did the TT from Maybank (maybank2u) to HSBC UK (basic account) last September 2014
HSBC charged me £12 to accept the TT!!

now, i would rather withdraw the money with my maybank ATM (yellow ATM card, not Visa debit card) at HSBC (UK) ATM machine then bank in my HSBC account. Maybank charged me RM12 per withdrawal only.

do you mean, if i buy the bank draft from Malaysia, and bank in at HSBC here, it cost nothing for the banking in?

Using msian ATM card to withdraw money is limited by the usual withdrawal limits. Also the exchange rates may not favourable...

Yes....a banker's cheque/draft from Msia denominated in pounds sterling and drawn on a local UK bank cost nothing to deposit into your UK account.....and you can buy the draft when there is a dip in the exchange rates....

I'm still game for December