General questions... What does it mean by "Held by custom (import)" status? How long does it take for the item to cleared or detained by them? If detained, how long do they detained it before returned to sender if nobody come to claimed it? Just worry I don't receive any notification from them... Sorry if this is incorrect thread to ask

Hi kherel77 ! I planning to buy handbag for my wife from USA which cost USD 191 included shipping. But the handbag is not a luxury brand, am i still gonna pay tax?

Luxury or not, if taxable items still got to pay the taxes.

Tax is dependable on Tariff Codes of items & CIF Value.

They provided the phone number but nobody picks up. What should i do other than wait?

Keep us updated on the status bro

Called them. They said custom detains randomly. I got the letter today. Didn’t say exactly what’s wrong with my items other than need to declare all again. I’m very sure the box contains invoice on the outside for customs reference but I guess they want to earn some money from me.

Mine sangkut also like that last week but doesn't have phone no. Singapore post shows "held at customs". But 4days later saw it got cleared on its own.

Sorry to hear your item sangkut.

singapore maybe different. i think here they want to earn some money haha. so randomly stop parcels

That freight RM535.54 must be from forwarding agent in P.Pinang dealing with Pulau Pinang's customs.

Seriously only in Pulau Pinang so far I know they have this kind of thing. Usually target DHL forwarding services. Even if your item stated clearly on the invoice the shipping cost with signature, they will suka-suka put RM535.54 as if no shipping cost written in the invoice.

Thats why I ban DHL and Fedex for a long time now, and ask the international seller to ship to me using courier that link to Pos Malaysia.
Customs that work in Pos Malaysia Office will use the shipping cost on the inovice to calculate the CIF ( cost + insurance + freight ) and not put RM535.54 suka suka hati like the Pulau Pinang forwarding agent and customs.

And I tried to find this RM535.54 in Federal Gazette related to customs taxes, but I can't find it. Public should be aware of this.

This kind of practise really shady and I still keep the evidence until now.

Does anybody know any ways around the tax?

can you check your invoice issued by seller for Kastam declaration? it could be that the shipping cost only listed in packing slip but not the invoice that Kastam checks.

i read in earlier post that is  because the invoice issued by the seller did not include the shipping cost, only the item cost. so Kastam will quote the XXX freight charges from the carrier (FedEx in this case).