https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/...on-card-seizure

KUALA LUMPUR: THE seizure of Pokémon trading cards at Changi Airport Terminal 1 from a Singaporean has triggered a debate among Malaysian travellers on what is taxable and what is not.


Customs Department director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin said the confusion was real, persistent and costly when misunderstood.

She said nearly all goods brought into Malaysia were taxable at the border unless they fell under very specific exemptions. "Personal belongings are not a magic spell for duty-free immunity," Anis told the New Straits Times.

On Oct 10, authorities at Changi Airport found hundreds of Pokémon trading cards, worth more than S$30,000 (RM105,000), in the Singaporean's luggage. When the authorities flagged the bag during a routine screening, the 25-year-old man, arriving from abroad, had claimed that he had nothing to declare.

The cards, believed to be for collection and resale, were referred to Singapore Customs for investigation under the Customs Act and Goods and Services Tax regulations.

News of the seizure spread online among Malaysians, with many asking the question: What exactly is taxable when Malaysians land on home soil?

Anis said all imported goods carried by travellers were subject to import duty, excise duty and sales tax, unless they were under approved exemptions.

THE FINE PRINT, SPELT OUT

Relief qualifiers are governed by three subsidiary orders — the Customs Duty (Exemption) Order 2017, Excise Duty (Exemption) Order 2017 and Sales Tax (Persons Exempted from Payment of Tax) Order 2018.

These define who qualifies, what is covered and strict caps on value and quantity, which are applicable only to non-commercial goods for eligible air, land and sea arrivals.

Under the regulations, travellers arriving by air are allowed specific amounts of duty-free goods, namely a litre of alcohol, three pieces of new clothing, a pair of new footwear and food items capped at RM150.

All other goods are exempted only up to RM1,000 in total value. Items exceeding RM1,000 attract duty, typically at 10 per cent, calculated based on the goods' declared value.

Trading cards, whether Pokémon, sports or other collectibles, fall under the "playing cards" tariff classification. If the declared value exceeds RM1,000, the excess becomes taxable.

Anis said playing cards were subjected to a 10 per cent import duty, 10 per cent sales tax and 10 per cent excise duty if their value exceeded the exemption threshold.

"If the cards are newly purchased abroad and their value is above the permitted limit, duty will be imposed. This applies even if travellers consider them personal items. "New purchases abroad above the permitted limit must be declared."

Anis reminded all travellers that declaration was compulsory under the Customs Act 1967 and the Customs Regulations 2019. Failure to declare taxable goods, prohibited items or excess currency may lead to seizures and the offender held for further investigations.

She said among the most commonly undeclared items seized at Malaysian airports were new electronic devices, branded apparel and handbags, cosmetics, fragrances, watches, jewellery, gifts, foodstuff and alcohol.

Anis attributed persistent confusion to the assumption that "low-value goods" were automatically exempt. "There is no loophole. Any item above the traveller-exemption cap is taxable at the border."

To prevent surprises at the green lane, Anis urged travellers to consult the department's guide for travellers — available on the Customs website or via the department's call centre at 1300-888-500.

The Customs green lanes were introduced to allow travellers carrying goods within the duty-free allowance to pass through checkpoints quickly without stopping for inspection. However, their goods can still be inspected if deemed necessary.

"It is the responsibility of every traveller to understand the laws of the country they enter. Proactive checking should be second nature."

Anis said cross-agency initiatives with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, Civil Aviation Authority, Immigration Department, Bank Negara Malaysia and industry players were ongoing to improve public awareness. This includes the use of social media for simpler explanations, she added.

The department is also developing the eCustoms traveller system, a digital declaration platform that will allow travellers to declare goods and make tax payments more efficiently.

Jan 18 guy can cry and claim kena tindas already LOL

must be the malaysian who jual the pukimon collection for 1.7m make singapork jelly.

dun think so
1.8m myr is cheap and achievable for average singaporean

Sohai, if 1 pcs 30k tax can lah but 100s over? Each card also 10~100, if wanna appraise at custom pls get a professional not online google seach coz each card can get different rating.

COE collection not enough. Pokemon also want to tax

handbag isn't enough anymore, they're now taxing some colourful cards

thank you singapore for giving us malaysians more tourists

Pukimon betol

Luls kana robbed

gila

Suppose there is a collectors exhibition or get-together, not profit-driven but to showcase each other's stuff. What then?

wait is it new box sets or personal collections in a binder? that makes a big difference.

if new boxes it's obvious its for commercial transaction la.