It's USD399 for base line model (8GB) and 3.5 in USD currency so it's around RM1.5k.

I think it's about 3.2 exchange rate now. Btw you have to take into account US government tax too. If not mistaken the 399 USD doesnt include gov tax.

I'm working with Customs Dept. Anybody who's interested to bring PDAs or other items from overseas, please contact me. I'll see how I van help you.

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Added on May 24, 2008, 7:31 pmI'm working with Customs Dept. Anybody who's interested to bring PDAs or other items from overseas, please contact me. I'll see how I can help you.

This post has been edited by adaku81: May 24 2008, 07:31 PM

Any proof that you're working inside the Custom Dept?

I prefer to remain anonymous. I don't trust my peers either. I'll advise you accordingly when you forward your problems to me. No strings attached. If you prefer to...that's another story. I just want to help the public. Thank you.

I have get a call from DHL, after i email them about my situation:

My friend has an Iphone, and he don't want to use it anymore (well, you know hand phones in UK is so cheap and even a student can change his phone rapidly.... unlike here in Malaysia...)

So, i ask him to send it to me

The DHL lady said that, the SIRIM charge for Iphone is around RM40, tax10%, and the charges for the delivery. She also state that no extra charges will be applied, even if they need to act as an agent and pick up the package for me.

Somehow, they need me to apply the SIRIM permit myself.

Besides, the lady also said that DO NOT state as a gift, state as a personal stuff instead. Perhaps the custom people thinks that almost every "gift" is not actually a gift....(damn, mine one is really a GIFT!!!)

Good for you if you get to send it here..since malaysia got no more stock for UK and US..

everybody is waiting for sunday 3G iphone out.

The DHL lady is right. I think the RM40 is for their service charge. As for the declaration of Iphone, it is declared to Customs authorities (at the airport/post) under Customs tariff code no 8517.12 000. No import duty, only 10% sales tax imposed by Customs. Except that you must have AP permit from Telecoms/SIRIM. The RM40 is the normal charge imposed by SIRIM, I presume. You have to apply it yourself, because only you are the authorised person who would be issued the permit. They didn't accept 3rd party applications. I hope DHL didn't charge anything extra. Regarding the declaration. I agree with you, state your stand that it's really a gift from your friend, whatever the courier people said. Tell you what, next time you (or your buddy) comes across such problem, do email my personal email, adaku81@gmail.com . I'll advise you further. Serving the rakyat, I am.

Er you better check the time zone and do some calculation before making conclusions. US time is LATER than us. NOT EARLIER fyi.

like i suggested to frozzbyte before, if you wrap the iphones around dirty, used underwears. no custom officials would wanna check them.


tested this a lot of times

wah...tat's so risky...how if the item lost??
who's reponsibility??

the custom officers will only inspect your all luggage right in front you upon retrieving them from the conveyor belt.

Actually the airport custom officers seldom want to inspect you lah. As long as your face looks like normal Malaysian, not those bengish, middle east look alike face, etc, you shouldnt have problem to go through the custom. I have been travelling a lot and chance of been inspected is like 1 out of 10. Also, dont pack your stuff in very large bag or carton box. You will get check 80% of the time.

This post has been edited by tr|n|ty: Jul 19 2008, 03:32 PM

Even if you do wrap your precious in used underwears, the X-Ray machines doesn't care about its state of hygiene. Once they see it, they will ask YOU to remove your used underwears around the iPhone. Those X-Ray machines are there for a reason.

The best advice is by tr|n|ty here. Act casual, don't be nervous. Guilty people always make the first move, so maintain your cool. When I was bringing back those headphones from Osaka, I had to go through the normal lane for us staffs to go through. Bear in mind, they do not give any leeway for you even if you're staff. But I remained cool, even make small talk/chat with the officer, just like how always do when I meet them. Treat them like how yo'd do others, and they'd wave you off.

Of course, if your push trolley is so obviously bulging with stuff, and you are coming back from places where they've earmarked as being tax-prone, then all those tips I posted above means abosolutely nothing. When it comes to this, either take advantage of the rush of passanger hustling out of the baggage area, and hope the guy next to you gets selected for inspection and not you.

hmmm, from my years of travelling upon claiming the bags, the malaysian custom officers will usually give me a very broad smile, asking the very typical question, if i have bought anything abroad.

and of course i will give my very typical response as well "ada, tapi buah tangan saja"

even if they do insist on me opening my bags up, it will just be flipping the clothes here and there. maybe its just my luck but i have done my fair share of flying to be my honest.

I have not been on the domestic arrival areas, they may flag you down and do manual search only.

Things are a little bit complicated for international arrivals. Those X-Ray machines are there to do the heavy work. If you're not flagged as most likely carrying dutiable items, then they'll just wave you through.

Also, your destination you're arriving from also determined how heavy the screening would be. Flights from destination in which passangers have historically been detained and found carrying dutiable items in large numbers, are screened heavier than those say, arriving from Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh City. After all, you can only smuggle so much from those areas.

Demeanor and how you carry yourself also important. I suppose you do carry yourself well, and with confidence, that they don't feel compelled to search you more thoroughly. These customs guys, they are trained to smell fear.

hmmm i was referring to my international flights actually. i have never been stopped before for domestic flights per se.

This post has been edited by nokia2003: Jul 19 2008, 04:52 PM

Where from, if I may ask?

not from the southeast asia. im not gonna name locations (no point honestly) because this can go on forever but i do fly more frequent than an average malaysian.

of course having said, i guess that im just plain lucky (up to this day) for not being flagged down by the customs despite buying back a lot of "buah tangan" back.

Just that I dont want to give others false hope, or the impression that the customs are easily trickable. They are not.