Shipping to Malaysia – June 2010

Vehicle Paperwork Requirements:

Malaysia is a signatory to the Carnet De Passages En Douane (CPD) agreement.  I know of no other way when bringing a vehicle in by sea.

Under Malaysian Road Transport Rules & Regulations, a foreign vehicle must possess an International Circulation Permit (ICP).  This is a Temporary Permit covered by Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance which is partly refundable after leaving the country. This is not 3rd party Insurance but vehicle insurance.

The ICP is issued by the Road Transport Dept of Malaysia and the following documents must be presented while applying for the permit

1. •Original Carnet De Passages (CPD)
   

2. •Photocopy of Vehicle Registration Card
   

3. •Photocopy of Driver International Licenses
   

4. •Photocopy of Passport
   

5. •Shipping invoice & Packing List.
   

The ICP refund will be processed with the following supporting documents presented to the insurance company

1. •Photocopy of Carnet De Passages (CPD) showing vehicle has been exported from Malaysia.
   

2. •Photocopy of Passport
   

3. •This process will take approximate 3-6 months and the amount refund is 70-80% of premium payable subject to approval and duration of period in Malaysia.
   The refund amount is via TT to the insurers name and all the bank charges to be paid by beneficiary.
   

The premium for Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance for 12 months for a vehicle valued at MYR96,000 (A$32,000) was MYR2,897 (A$965). One must then wait up to 6 months for a possible refund is completely out of the question.

Whilst is not possible to insure a vehicle for less than 12 months I found after searching numerous insurance companies, Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad would insure the vehicle for a minimum possible value of MYR10,000 (A$3,100/US$3240) at a premium of MYR600 (A$190/US$195) but non-refundable. We also pre-signed the cancelation documents for the policy and dated it a few days after we expected to depart from Malaysia.

We paid a Handeling Fee paid to our shipping import agent who organised the above ICP/Temporary Permit Application of USD315.00 for 1 vehicle + US$30each for the other 3.

Nov 2013. Update from Stephen Coney <stephen_coney@yahoo.com>: We managed to get both third party insurance and our ICP in about 90 mins, which including popping out for a coffee during the process. We went to the main offices of the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) just outside KL to see if they could assist.  And wow, were they helpful.  I think being there in person really helped.  Anyway, they sold us insurance and the ICP/Road Tax and we were on our way.  I expected a multi-day effort on this one.

More detailed information here:

http://sterlin.caroline-and-stephen.com/2013/11/malaysian-car-documentation.html

Personal Paperwork:

            Driving Licence or International Driving Permit

The Malaysian Customs agent we used was CLASQUIN (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD and we found them very good and efficient.

         http://www.clasquin.com/global_network/images/malaysia.gif

        Our contact Ruslina was very informative and helpful her e-mail is: rmd.kul@clasquin.com

        We had previously FedEx’ ed to them our original Carnet documents for processing.

        Costs for 4 vehicles in two containers:
                    Customs formalities:      USD45.00
                    Forwarding Charges:      USD363.00
                    Customs Examination:   USD256.00 (US$128.00/container)

                    Plus the ICP Insurance US$315 + 90 for extra 3 vehicles + US$762(MYR600 x 4 vehicles)

                    Total for 4 vehicles US$1831.00    TERMS CASH or PREPAID (A per vehicle cost of $458.00)

                   

The containers are sent to a port warehouse, in our case WESTPORT, for inspection once discharged from the ship, and it is here that Customs would inspect the contents.

We used WestPort Handlers SND BHD at Kontena Freight Station 4, Kontena Terminal Westport, Pudau Indah about an hour from central Kuala Lumpur.

We received back our Carnets and copies of the ICP Insurance Documents from a CLASQUIN representative. Once the vehicles had the side mirrors and spare tyres back on, we simply drove them to the gate, handed in our security forms and retrieved our passports.

Any charges for the above were included in the amount we paid to CLASQUIN.

Travel in Malaysia is easy, the people friendly, the road system organised and the roads well sign posted in both Malay and English. Malays drive on the Left Hand side.

On the main roads are endless tolls and if you are travelling in a larger camper type vehicle you should be able to get away with being a private car. Our first toll was MYR2.20 but finally we consistently paid MYR1.40 as a private vehicle.

Drivers are better than those further north but do be aware of the trucks on sharp and blind corners. Always expect the unexpected.

During Summer the coastal plain can be stifling hot whilst the mountains offer a surprising coolness.

We free camped everywhere. In the car parks of tourist attractions, on the beaches, in market car parks and never had a problem.

You will find the GPS co-ordinates of our campsites listed in our blog at : Malaysia Travels

Food is very reasonable and shopping for fresh fruit and vegetables in the street markets a great experience. Eating out is a learning curve. The words on the menu mean nothing so we just walked around the tables and when we saw something we liked we pointed to it and that is what we ordered. Alternatively ‘Nasi Goering’ is fried rice and a good back stop. We ate out for about A$3/person/per meal.

Fuel: Malaysia has cheap fuel both Petrol and Diesel. The service stations are clean although the toilets are not always so.

Diesel was MYR 1.70/liter and across the country always the same price. (A$0.54  or US$0.55/liter)

Water: We had no problem getting water from service stations or car wash places.

For our actual Travel Diary through Malaysia see:     GoannaTracks Across Malaysia

RETURN TO:  DIY Kit for Overland Travel

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Taman Negara. At 130 million years old it is considered the oldest primordial forrest on Earth.