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Malaysia Legislation & Etiquette
DUTY-FREE ITEMS:
Items such as cameras, watches, pens, portable radio-cassette players, perfume, cosmetics and lighters are duty-free in Malaysia. Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, refundable on departure - usually 50% of the value (carry receipt of purchase and obtain an official receipt for any tax or deposit paid).
DUTIABLE GOODS:
Certain goods such as the following, imported by visitors are liable to duty: carpets, garments, clothing accessories, jewelry, chocolates, handbags, spirits and alcoholic beverages, tobacco and cigarettes. Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, refundable on departure. To get your deposit returned the goods are to be presented at the time and place of departure together with the deposit receipts.
Persons who are transferring their residence to Malaysia can be exempted from taxes (e.g. if you are participating in the “Malaysia My Second Home Program”).
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RESTRICTED AND PROHIBITED ITEMS:
- A special permit is required for the carriage of firearms and ammunition. Other prohibited items include flick knives, daggers and pornographic material.
- Taped video cassettes should be submitted for clearance by Customs before entering Malaysia.
- Export of antiquities and historical objects is not allowed unless an export permit has been obtained from the Director General of Museums, Malaysia, or if the antiquity was originally imported and declared to customs.
- All passengers must declare the following items to the Plant Quarantine Office upon arrival:
- Plants and plant parts, including fresh plant produce and processed products
- Soil and growth/rooting media
- Insects and other organisms
- Micro-organisms
- Herbarium and dried flowers
Penalty for failing to do so is a fine of up to RM1000 or imprisonment of up to six months with a maximum imprisonment period not exceeding two years, or both.
- Passengers from South and Central America and Central Africa are required to report to the Plant Quarantine Office.
• Trafficking in illegal drugs carries the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia. Do not in any way get involved with drugs!
DUAL NATIONALITY:
Malaysia does not recognize or permit dual nationality. If Malaysian authorities learn that you are a citizen of for example both Malaysia and the United States, they may require that you either renounce your United States citizenship immediately or forfeit your Malaysian citizenship. Dual citizens should consider this issue seriously before traveling to Malaysia.
Tips & etiquttes while being in Malaysia:
CRIME:
- The overall crime rate in Malaysia is low and violent crime involving foreigners is relatively uncommon. Petty theft, particularly purse snatchings and pick pocketing, is the most common criminal activity directed against foreigners.
- Credit card fraud is a serious problem in Malaysia. You should avoid using credit cards, if possible. Credit card numbers should be closely safeguarded at all times.
SOME BUSINESS ETIQUETTES
- Meetings are often held during lunch or dinner.
- Malaysians are usually called by their given names preceded by Mr., Mrs., or Miss. The Chinese use their family names preceded by Mr., Mrs., or Miss.
- When addressing a titled person you can just use his title without his name. "Datuk" (sometimes spelt Dato or Dato'), which literally means grandfather, is a title conferred to prominent Malaysians by the King or Sultans on their birthdays. The wife of a "Datuk" should be addressed as "Datin" but if it is a woman who is conferred with the title of "Datuk" (which is quite rare) her husband is not affected by her title. Higher up on the title hierarchy is "Tan Sri" and even rarer still is "Tun". (The wife of a "Tan Sri", by the way, should be addressed as "Puan Sri"). In fact "Tun" is the highest non-royal title and is limited to 22 holders at any one time. The wife of a "Tun" is addressed as "Toh Puan".
- A firm handshake and a "hello" are suitable as a greeting. Muslims bring their hand to their chest after shaking hands, and you should follow suit.
- Business cards are always exchanged and should be both given and received with both hands at all times. Study the card for a few moments and do not simply put the card straight into your pocket. Put the card in your card holder or keep the card on your desk. Do not write on the business card of your business partner.
- A suit and tie is suitable business attire for men, with the jacket removed on warmer days.
- Long-sleeved batik shirts are always acceptable. For women, a suit or blouse and skirt are best for daytime appointments.
- The many cultures and religions of Malaysia may make giving a suitable gift a complicated issue.
- Never give liquor to a Muslim person as alcoholic beverages are forbidden in the Muslim religion. Do not give clocks, watches, knives or white flowers to a Chinese person as white flowers are associated with death in Chinese culture, and so are clocks, knives and watches - the word for time and death sound similar.
- A pen or a similar object having a company logo is probably the safest kind of gift. A picture book of your home country is always nice too.
- Don't bring up the topic of ethnic relations in Malaysia or the political system: They are both sensitive subjects.
- Study some facts about Malaysia (e.g. history), your business partner will highly appreciate it if you show a keen interest in his / her background. Business talks consist of a long ‘social talk’ and the real business is done at the end.
- Malaysians tend to be late for appointments but expect others to be on time. Your business partner will meet you at your hotel or at his or her office.
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