Mastering postal services in Malaysia.

1. Registering with Pos Malaysia

Unlike in some countries, you are not strictly required to register in order to *receive* ordinary mail at a valid residential address. That said, for managing any international parcels, it is strongly recommended to create an account on the online portal or mobile app of Pos Malaysia.

This lets you track your shipments, pay customs duties online (where applicable) and manage redirections. If you run a business, check out our guide on how to start a business in Malaysia for the specifics around commercial mail.

2. Dealing with customs (SST and taxes)

This is the sticking point for many expats receiving parcels from abroad. Since 2024, Malaysia has applied new rules on the Sales and Service Tax (SST) for low-value goods (LVG) imported into the country.

• Tax threshold: Any parcel may be subject to inspection.
• Process: If your parcel is held, you will receive a notification by SMS or letter. Payment is made through the customs portal or directly at the designated post office.
• Tip: Always ask the sender to include a detailed invoice and to fill in the CN22/CN23 form accurately.

3. Collecting missed parcels

If you are not in, the courier usually leaves a delivery notice (often a small yellow or pink slip). Be careful: you generally have 7 to 14 days to collect the item from the post office indicated before it is returned to the sender. Always bring your original passport (copies are rarely accepted).