So much hassle to bring helmet into Malaysia

Arai or Shoei Helmets in Malaysia are considered as top brand and they are very expensive, nothing less than RM2000 a piece and some models fetch up 3-4 thousands ringgit. I always wanted to buy one but the price has put me on hold until I found out Japanese Yen dropped so much now and it is cheaper to buy online from Rakuten online shopping. I bought my Arai Tour Cross 3 Helmet more than one thousand ringgit cheaper in Japan. When I purchased it via a friend in Tokyo, I didn't know I need a permit to ship it to Malaysia. So, when the package arrived at POS Malaysia KLIA, it has been confiscated by the Royal Custom.

I had 21 days to get custom clearance or it will be shipped back to Tokyo. POS Malaysia sent me a letter saying that my package has been kept at POS Malaysia KLIA waiting for custom clearance. Then with the letter I went to MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) office at Kompleks Kerajaan Jalan Duta to apply for the AP. I didn't call when I go there, so I didn't bring the relevant documents I need to attach with the application form. Fortunately, a lady at the reception was helping me print out the photo of the helmet from the Internet and I had to handwrite an official letter to the MITI officer. Actually, I was impressed at how efficient and helpful is the staff. 

It took me 7 days to get the AP approved. With the AP, I went to POS Malaysia KLIA (building next to old LCCT) to claim the package and get custom clearance. It was quite busy that day and I had to wait in long queues from claiming the package to paying the fee at several counters. I only need to pay RM18 for the processing fee. Why so little?? This is the trick... when you declare the price make sure it is lesser than RM500. Or else, 10% duty will be imposed on you. It wasn't difficult to get the AP but the process was quite hassle in my opinion. If you're going to save just couple hundreds ringgit... I think you can just forget it. Just buy the stuff here in Malaysia. But if you can save more than a thousand ringgit..... then go for it.  

Actually, most people don't know that to bring in helmets into Malaysia requires a permit from MITI . Why do you need a permit??? I have asked the relevant parties involved in process.

According to these people...

Me: Encik, kenapa kena ada permit daripada MITI (Sir, why do I need a permit from MITI?) 

Custom officer: "Mesti la kena ada permit sebab kita kena pastikan helmet yang dibawa masuk menepati standard SIRIM. Kalau accident mati pecah kepala.... kami jugak kena menjawab." (Must have permit to ensure the helmet meets SIRIM standard. We have to be responsible if there is a fatal accident involving the helmet) 

Me: In my mind, I was thinking..."WTF?!! Arai doesn't meet SIRIM standard?? Actual Arai is using SNELL standard which is goes beyond any government standards around the world including SIRIM!"

Me: Cik, kenapa kena ada permit daripada MITI (Miss, why do I need a permit from MITI?)

Staff MITI: "Saya pun tak pasti, mungkin nak jaga industri helmet Malaysia??" (I also not sure, probably to protect helmet industry in Malaysia)

Me: In my head... What helmet industry??? Most of the chepo helmets are still substandard in my opinion.

After a series of discussion with several people, I made a conclusion why MITI trying to stop people from bringing in good helmets on their own into Malaysia is to protect SIRIM business of getting income from issuing SIRIM stickers to those who are doing business by bringing in helmet in larger quantity. It is just another way how the government squeezing our pocket. We have ministers who are into motorcycling and I hope they will fight for motorcyclist community.

The color not available here

Smoke shield makes the helmet looks cooler