Those Flying Out Of Malaysia Will Have To Pay Up To RM150 Departure Tax Starting 1 Sept
Departure levy rates will depend on the destination as well as flight class.
The government has announced that travellers flying out of Malaysia will be required to pay a departure levy of RM8 to RM150 from 1 September onwards
Image via Abd Rahim Rahmat / New Straits Times
Initially proposed during the tabling of Budget 2019 last year, the Departure Levy (Rate of Departure Levy) Order 2019 as well as several ministerial orders related to said levy were officially gazetted by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on Wednesday, 31 July.
Levy rates will depend on the intended destination as well as whether the flight is in economy class.
Travellers flying from Malaysia to ASEAN countries will have to pay RM8 if they are in economy class, and RM50 if they're flying in other classes.
Image via The Malaysian Insight
ASEAN countries consist of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
According to Malay Mail, the Departure Levy (Rate of Departure Levy) Order 2019 noted that economy class refers to flights that are "advertised and sold by airlines using economic terms or their equivalent, or having the lowest prices when compared to other packages".
As for those flying to other countries outside of the ASEAN region, those flying in economy will have to RM20, while those flying in other classes will be charged RM150
Image via sitifatimahdullah
There are, however, exemptions to the rule. The departure levy will not be imposed on:
(i) Infants and toddlers aged below 24 months or two years old;
(ii) Passengers transiting via Malaysia, provided the transit period does not exceed 12 hours; and
(iii) Any crew on duty on board any vehicle (including aircraft or vessel), and anyone driving or riding any type of vehicle for personal use (including aircraft or vessel) and pillion riders or passengers of such vehicles.
Planning a holiday? Take note of next year's long weekends to optimise your annual leave:
Also, take note of these travel advisories if you're flying overseas:
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