Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 · Updated to 26 Nov 2025 · Part V · Control of External Trade
21. Dangerous drugs in transit
Feedback & supportNo person shall bring any dangerous drug to Malaysia in transit unless—
dangerous drug
“dangerous drug” means any drug or substance which is for the time being comprised in the First Schedule;
*NOTE—Previously “fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment”–see Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 1973 [Act A194].
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the drug is in course of transit from a country from which it may lawfully be exported, to another country into which such drug may lawfully be imported; and
except where the drug comes from a country not a party to the Convention, it is accompanied by a valid and subsisting export authorization or diversion certificate, as the case may be.
Where any dangerous drug in transit is accompanied by an export authorization or diversion certificate and there are reasonable grounds for believing that such authorization or certificate is false, or that it has been obtained by fraud or wilful misrepresentation of a material particular, it shall be lawful for the Minister, or any officer authorized by him in that behalf, to seize and detain the drug to which such authorization or certificate relates. Upon being satisfied that such authorization or certificate is valid or has not been obtained by fraud or misrepresentation as aforesaid, the Minister or such officer shall release the drug.
in transit
“in transit” means taken or sent from any country and brought into Malaysia by land, air or water (whether or not landed or transhipped in Malaysia) for the sole purpose of being carried to another country either by the same or another conveyance;
Where the dangerous drug in transit is not accompanied by an export authorization or diversion certificate by reason of the fact that the drug comes from a country not a party to the Convention and there are reasonable grounds for believing that such drug is being conveyed in an unlawful manner or for an unlawful purpose or is in course of transit for the purpose of being imported into another country in contravention of the laws of that country, it shall be lawful for the Minister, or any officer authorized by him in that behalf, to seize and detain the drug.
Where a dangerous drug brought into Malaysia in transit is landed, or transhipped in Malaysia, it shall be stored and dealt with as the Minister may direct and shall be moved only under and in accordance with a removal licence granted in pursuance of section 22.
Minister
“Minister” means the Minister charged with the responsibility for medical and health services;
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to any dangerous drug in transit by post or in transit by air if the aircraft passes over Malaysia without landing, or to such quantities of dangerous drugs as may reasonably form part of the medical stores of any ship or aircraft.
aircraft
“aircraft” includes every description of craft which may be used for the conveyance of passengers or goods by air;
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Any person who brings any dangerous drug into Malaysia in transit otherwise than in accordance with this section shall be guilty of an offence against this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding *twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding *five years or to both.