Malaysian authorities ask Singapore driver to pay tax on speaker purchased 2 years ago

A man driving into Johor Bahru from Singapore said he was stopped by Malaysian customs officers and told that he had to pay tax for the speaker in his car boot.

But that speaker was purchased two years ago, said Singapore-based balloon artist and content creator Norvin Ong.

The befuddled man took to social media on Oct 21 to share his experience, which purportedly occurred at JB's Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex at about 11.40pm on Oct 20.

The man told Shin Min Daily News that he was organising his office and had placed the speaker in its original packaging to bring home.

"But I was stopped by the officer and asked if I had a receipt for it," Ong recounted in his video.

While Ong explained that the appliance was purchased years ago, the officer looked up its selling price on Google.

He said: "I was second-guessing myself on whether I still had the receipt, so I searched the plastic bag and really found the receipt, which was from 2024."

Then, Ong said the officer converted the stated purchase price of $185 into Malaysian ringgit and calculated the 10 per cent duty amount of RM59 (S$18.50).

Waiting until 12am

Accepting that he would have to pay tax on the item, Ong said he was offered the payment options of either cash or card.

He decided to pay by card — which was when he was allegedly told to "wait until 12am".

"I don't know why it is necessary to wait for that time to make the Visa payment," Ong questioned.

"Can anyone explain? Is there really such a thing? If I entered JB at 10pm, does it mean I have to wait two hours to pay?"

Ong said he successfully paid the tax after 12am and left the complex.

He also cautioned the public against bringing electronics into JB, explaining that another female driver had also been taxed on an air purifier she won at a company event.

[embed]https://www.tiktok.com/@qmaojunyong/video/7698740386436599060[/embed]

Goods valued at above RM500 taxable

The video has sparked a debate online, with netizens musing over Ong's wait for card payment.

Some suggested that the system could have been undergoing its closing procedure for the day and that digital payments could interrupt the process.

Others shared similar experiences being taxed for items including a carpet and shoes.

"I also [got] taxed RM1,300 last week... I had many camping gear and one big DJI power station," a TikTok user wrote.

A Facebook user also explained why Ong was taxed: "Because it's in retail box. Potentially for sales... As long as there is an official receipt issued, there is no wrong."

Ong confirmed in a TikTok comment that he was given a receipt for the tax payment.

According to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department's website, tourists or travellers entering or leaving Malaysia are required to declare all taxable goods, prohibited items, cash amounts, and negotiable monetary instruments.

Goods valued at below RM500 are exempted from customs duty or tax payment for travellers entering Malaysia through all modes of transportation except air.

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