Books are not taxable. I have been bringing in thousands of dollars worth of books over the last few years and they have never been taxed.

Simple really.

FOB would be the value of your item (purchase price)
INS is the insurance cost (1% value of the FOB)
FRT is the freight/shipping cost
CIF/CIFC is the total value of the FOB+INS+FRT

If you're using the main couriers - DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, etc and the CIFC is RM500 or above you'll be taxed accordingly. The same is suppose to go for normal shipping via the post office but the officers sometimes hold packages for no reason and charge tax below RM500. Most couriers will charge a disbursement fee of RM25 or so to handle the customs, tax, etc. International priority takes 3 days from the US, 4-5 days if it gets stuck in customs. Items from around Asia, probably 2 days or so. Maybe an extra day or 2 if it's stuck in customs.

Purchases from Amazon/Ebay if it's via normal shipping it will take 10-11 days maximum including weekends. If it's longer, it's stuck in customs or some other unforseen circumstances.

DVDs go for 30% import duty and 10% sales tax
CDs go for 25% import duty and 10% sales tax
Jerseys/clothes go for 25% import duty and 10% sales tax
Camera accessories go for 25/30% import duty and 10% sales tax
Playing cards, and related gambling items are 30% import duty and 10% sales tax

Watches normally go through without a problem since it's duty free but if the watch is over RM500 and has leather straps, you might find it held while the vetenarian department checks it out, etc. A full camera set with body/lens is considered duty free and not taxable but the accessories purchased alone are taxable.

Of course, this is normally if you use main couriers. If you use normal shipping methods and it comes via Post Malaysia then you might escape with small/big shipments from time to time. Also, customs for parcels via normal shipping methods are sometimes just held randomly and charged even if it's not reaching the RM500 limit. So that's another thing.

Regarding DVDs via courier, if it's under RM500 it doesn't go through customs and it's directly sent for delivery. RM500 and above and it goes the other way to the customs directly and further checks. For DVDs, they'll open the parcel if they think it's got x rated material and they'll play it on their dvd players (this is only if the item is RM500 and above). Via courier, anything below RM500 is not taken to customs, but loaded up for immediate delivery after the CIF/CIFC values are confirmed.

Same goes for most items above RM500, it will be opened and checked. And according to certain items, you'll be taxed anywhere from 25-30% import duty and 10% sales tax. It's mostly unavoidable unless the officer in charge doesn't check the papers properly and you get away with just the 10% sales tax, etc. It happens.

So to be safe, keep it under RM500 for your items. Or prepare to pay close to 30-40% in tax for your shipment. Officers will never really accept most excuses because DVDs/CDs are entertainment items.

This is a problem purchasing complete series from Amazon because most are above $140 (which is your safe price and not taxable via courier) And that has to include shipping prices, etc. If it's above $140, split your purchases and don't buy complete series box sets.

Also be wary about the exchange rates from whichever country you're purchasing items from. Since it changes daily, you'll have to be careful with calculations.

If it's a gift and it's above RM500, you'll still get taxed if the value is listed on the package. Best thing is, get someone to send you your package and have the items de-valued if it's above RM500. Amazon, and other online stores will not de-value and will put the actual price on the package. If you send via courier, have the item de-valued below RM500 without detailed descriptions and you'll be fine.

@tangbskt9

If you're purchasing a complete set with body/lens or whatever. Then it's considered duty free.

This post has been edited by refnulf: Nov 8 2008, 04:32 PM

From what I know, you shouldn't be taxed. Unless it comes in different packages. The body in one package, then the accessories in other packages. Then you'll probably get taxed if it's above RM500.


Those don't go through couriers, through the post office mostly so there's a chance it'll come through without a problem. But there's also a chance that it'll be held. When it comes to normal mail via the Post Office the customs are very inconsistent. Sometimes they'll hold a package worth USD$90, sometimes they'll hold a package worth USD$30. Sometimes, you'll find things worth USD$470 coming through without a problem. But by right, anything at RM500 and above needs to be held so they can tax you. I've gotten packages with a variety of value held and would have to call the post office to handle it. One of my packages, worth USD$500 wasn't held and arrived pretty fast. No idea why it wasn't held, definitely higher than RM500. With the normal post office shipments, it's down to luck I suppose.

But with couriers, it's a strict RM500 and above. It'll be directed to customs so it can be checked and taxed.

This post has been edited by refnulf: Nov 9 2008, 04:03 PM