Berjaya Waterfront Duty-Free: Don't Make These Rookie Mistakes!
Going to Batam via Johor Bahru for the first time? That means it’ll be your first time at Berjaya Waterfront as well! As the official entry point to Batam and Bintan in Southern Malaysia, Berjaya Waterfront is also a duty-free zone. And that means…. Duty-free shopping!
That’s right, situated at the ground floor of the mall is not one, but THREE duty-free shops:
- The Zon (Duty-free alcohol and tobacco)
- The Zon Chocolate (Duty-free chocolates)
- D-Cottage (Duty-free beer)
But before you pick up a bottle of whiskey or an extra-large Toblerone bar, read on!
When you’re returning from your trip, you’ll encounter not one, but two customs checkpoints - one at immigration, and another when you exit the compound. The Royal Malaysians Customs have rules on duty-free goods that many first-time travellers may not know about.
So make sure you’re not making these mistakes that’ll get you in trouble with the Abang or Kakak Kastam…
Duty-Free Mistake #1: Not spending enough time in Batam
Photo Source : @batam/costarina
Yes, there is a minimum amount of time you have to spend in Batam or Bintan before you can bring duty-free goods out of Berjaya Waterfront!
According to the Customs Duties (Exemption) Order, you need to spend at least 72 hours (3 full days) overseas in order to qualify. So this means a weekend trip to Batam will sadly not include duty-free shopping.
But here’s a trick to enjoy your duty-free goodies on a short trip. Buy them BEFORE you leave, and enjoy them in Batam!
Indonesia doesn’t have a minimum time requirement, so you can enjoy your duty-free chocolates on the ferry or a bottle of wine at the resort. Just remember to consume and discard them there, because open containers still count!
Duty-Free Mistake #2: Exceeding the duty-free allowance
While it might be tempting to buy a year’s supply of cigarettes or your favourite wine, there are actually limits to how much you can bring into Malaysia:
- Alcohol - 1 litre.
- Cigarettes - 200 sticks.
- Chocolate - RM150 in value.
There are more items such as shoes and personal care electrical appliances on the exemptions list. You can view the full list of allowances here.
These allowances apply whether you buy them at the duty free overseas or in Malaysia. And if you’re wondering - yes, it’s the same in Indonesia for alcohol and tobacco. Customs officers are usually more flexible with chocolates, but are very strict on alcohol and tobacco - you’ve been warned!
While you can tumpang or use someone else’s allowance, just be sure they’re:
- Above the age of 21 for alcohol and tobacco products.
- Non-Muslim for alcohol products.
- Over the age of 18. Duty-free allowances only apply to adults 18 and over.
What happens if you exceed the limit? You’ll be charged duty on the extra amounts. This will be calculated at the Customs checkpoint.
Here’s a tip - always check with the helpful shop attendants. They’ll be most familiar with the latest customs requirements.
Duty-Free Mistake #3: Not declaring your duty-free items
Honesty is the best policy here. Even if you’ve literally just bought it from the duty-free shop, you must declare it at the customs checkpoint. Open containers still count!
If you get caught - even if it’s an honest mistake - it may lead to:
- Your items getting confiscated, and/or
- A penalty of 20% on top of the duty owed
Either way, it’ll be pretty painful on the wallet.
So the message here is - always declare!
Duty-Free Mistake #4: Not doing your duty-free shopping at Berjaya Waterfront!
Don’t just head straight to the waiting area! The duty-free outlets at Berjaya Waterfront offer great deals - even if it’s just chocolates for the ferry ride.
Not just that, you can start your retail journey early at the various fashion boutiques that - though not duty free - are super value for money.
The comfortable air-conditioned ferries ensure a smooth journey to and from Batam. Keep this article in mind, and you’ll be ensured a smooth journey past Customs as well!
If you’re looking for unique things to buy in Batam, click here for a list of memorable souvenirs you can find in any grocery store!