How to Apply for MACS (Malaysian Automated Clearance)

[ORen]

Thanks fatboypin, happy to give back

 

I have a silly question about MACS: once you have it, you get to use the "automated" lanes is that right? I think going back from MY in TUAS I saw a sign, but I didn't pay much attention.

When going in, either at TUAS or WOODLANDS, what should I be looking for ? I remember seeing lanes for biometric passports or something like that at Woodlands, are these the ones we should use with MACS ?

[maddog]

Thanks fatboypin' date=' happy to give back [/quote']

 

Great report, our first one with info for PR/Green-carders, thanks !!

 

Oh, almost forgot, went to Bukit Indah JUSCO (AONE shopping center), and there is no roadshow for MACS at the moment.

Was told by the girl at the info counter that they come and go, and might be back in June, apparently it's seasonal, they are there only when they know MACS registrations go up. Didn't have much more info sorry, anyone who happens to go there please feel free to ask again to confirm, you never know..maybe it was just my luck today.

 

Yeah, they come and go, these road shows. My count for Jusco is 2/4 times and for Holiday Plaza is 1/5 times.

 

I have a silly question about MACS: once you have it, you get to use the "automated" lanes is that right? I think going back from MY in TUAS I saw a sign, but I didn't pay much attention.

When going in, either at TUAS or WOODLANDS, what should I be looking for ? I remember seeing lanes for biometric passports or something like that at Woodlands, are these the ones we should use with MACS ?

 

Just go to any lane, the imi officer will just look at your p/p and do a quick scan before they wave you off. The bio lanes are almost never open. And I suspent that the equipment are never maintained

[ORen]

Oh ok, so normal lane otherwise if open, bio lanes?

I can't wait to use the macs again hehe.. Maybe this WE!

[maddog]

Oh ok' date=' so normal lane otherwise if open, bio lanes? [/quote']

 

pretty much so, I've never seen bio lanes open though.

[fatboypin]

Thanks fatboypin, happy to give back

 

I have a silly question about MACS: once you have it, you get to use the "automated" lanes is that right? I think going back from MY in TUAS I saw a sign, but I didn't pay much attention.

When going in, either at TUAS or WOODLANDS, what should I be looking for ? I remember seeing lanes for biometric passports or something like that at Woodlands, are these the ones we should use with MACS ?

 

Yah lor, i mostly see the usual lanes open each time i pass thru.

 

Funny thing is the inconsistency wrt white cards. I deliberately didnt give on the way in and got thru. The rest did and they stamped it. On the way back, no qn asked at all. For all i know, they could hv said i lost my white card in msia.

[fatboypin]

Just came back from 2nd Link.

 

Got the MACS sticker in exactly the same way as described. Arrived in office at 1215am and left with passport in abt 5 min! Chop chop chilli chop.

 

My passport expires in Mar 2014. So the 2 yr validity doesnt really apply.

 

Many thanks to all who hv contributed here. Cheers and ride safe.

 

Hi guys, so here's my little report, and I can confirm that yes if you are non Singaporean living in SG you can still get the MACS.

 

I got my MACS at Tuas checkpoint, when going back into Singapore, after the MY motorcycle counters, so after I got my regular exit stamp.

 

Stopped right after the last counter, there's a door on the left with a big MACS CENTER sign at the top of the door frame. You can't miss it.

 

Leave the bike either on the little pavement in front of the door or a bit further on the exit lane from the counters. (if there's a lot of traffic, obviously park as to not disturb it )

 

Go through the door to your left there's a lift, take it to level 2.

Exit the lift, turn right and walk on the little overhead bridge (you can see your bike parked below from there).

 

Enter the room/building at the end of the little bridge, it has a big MACS sign on it.

Enjoy that familiar breeze of AC that you learn to appreciate when you live in a hot (rich enough) country.

 

Walk straight to the 3 counters in front of you. The two on the right have a paper poster that says "kauntermacs" or something like this, if you read it in your head you'll know you are in the right place (if you speak Malay, you'll probably think I'm bodoh but that's ok!).

 

Say hi to the officer behind the counter or hit the little bell to let them know you are here. Hand over your passport, if not Singaporean you will be immediately asked "PR?", take out your green card and hand it over as well (not a PR also can, but must have the green card). Fill a quick form with your particulars. Pay RM30.

 

Wait in the AC, seated next to your helmet. Get both your index fingerprints taken. Wait a bit, and get your passport, green card, and payment receipt back. (It all took me 10 min.)

 

Look at your new one page sticker sayin' you will not have to fill a white card or get stamps all over your passport for the next 365 days. Say a little thank you in your head for fellow SBF riders without whom you wouldn't have figured it out. (thanks a lot guys, really!!)

 

Go back to your bike (that truly no one gives a crap about, people are too busy working or just paying attention to other things rather than plotting to steal it) and ride off feeling happy.

 

Resist the temptation to u-turn into MY just to test out the MACS.

And voila ! You're done

 

Took some photos for you guys. Didn't see any no camera sign so I suppose it's ok as nothing there that is not public or threatening to security, these are partial photos only and it's impossible to identify any staff. But let me know if you think I better remove them:

 

View from after the last counter. Door is on the right in this photo, you can see there's plenty of space to park:

http://img.tapatalk.com/ca9c0e0a-20df-e826.jpg

 

The MACS building:

http://img.tapatalk.com/ca9c0e0a-20f0-4dc4.jpg

 

The counters:

http://img.tapatalk.com/ca9c0e0a-20fa-7b46.jpg

 

Hope this helps!

[ORen]

As you guys said, didn't find any macs lane at woodlands yesterday. I think Tuas has one (last counter) but I need to go back to check again.

Super breezy process, takes 15sec to clear the booth, as long as the officer checks for macs first ! I was thinking of putting a sticker on the passport cover: " MACS INSIDE"

 

Oh, a little bit off topic but maybe someone who has it can enlighten me: what are the requirements to get the BIKES system? Looks like a super fast way to clear customs on the SG side.

[maddog]

I'm thinking that you shld be PR / Long Term Pass holder / Work Permit / Dependent Pass , so you do not need to register

 

from http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=197

 

Operating Hours for BIKES Lanes

 

Woodlands Checkpoint:

24 hours everyday

 

Tuas Checkpoint:

Arrival Motorcycle – Monday to Saturday: 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.

Sunday: Closed

Departure Motorcycle – Monday to Saturday: 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Sunday: 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

 

Note: Operating hours for BIKES lanes are subject to change without prior notice.

 

Eligibility

 

The following groups of travellers can use BIKES without the need for enrolment:

 

•Singapore Citizens issued with the NRIC;

•Singapore Permanent Residents issued with the blue Singapore NRIC;

•Singapore Immigration Long Term Pass holders who have registered their fingerprints with ICA during the issuance of the new polycarbonate cards and

•Employment / Dependant’s pass holders who have registered their fingerprints with MOM during the issuance of the new polycarbonate cards.

 

ICA will extend the privilege of BIKES to the above categories of travellers automatically as long as they hold valid International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliant passport which have been updated with ICA or MOM. For eligible Singapore Permanent Residents and Singapore Immigration Long Term Pass holders, their latest passport details must be updated with ICA. This same applies for holders of Employment Pass and Dependent Pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

 

The following groups of travellers can enrol to use BIKES:

•Malaysian Passport Holders who are either: ◦Work Permit Holders;

â—¦Employment Pass Holders not issued with the new polycarbonate pass card;

◦Dependant’s Pass Holders not issued with the new polycarbonate pass card;

â—¦Student Pass Holders not issued with the new polycarbonate pass card;

â—¦Long Term Visit Pass Holders not issued with the new polycarbonate pass card

 

 

Enrolment

 

Travellers who wish to enrol with BIKES can apply through one of the two BIKES Enrolment Centres:

 

Woodlands Enrolment Centre - Woodlands Checkpoint

Blk E after Departure Car ST office

Operating Hours:

Monday to Friday: 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Saturday: 8.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.

 

 

Tuas Enrolment Centre - Tuas Checkpoint

Departure D3 ST office

Operating Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

 

Note: Operating hours for Enrolment Centres are subject to change without prior notice.

 

Enrolment is free of charge and will be processed on the same day.

 

Validity for BIKES

 

Singaporean

Same as passport expiry date.

 

Singapore Permanent Resident

Same as passport expiry date or REP expiry date, whichever is earlier.

 

Others

Same as passport expiry date or Pass expiry date, whichever is earlier.

 

Note: When there is a change of employment status for Pass holders, BIKES users, who require to be enrolled to use BIKES, are required to report at any Enrolment Centre with the relevant documents to update his/her enrolment details.

[maddog]

Super breezy process, takes 15sec to clear the booth, as long as the officer checks for macs first ! I was thinking of putting a sticker on the passport cover: " MACS INSIDE"

 

I always open the passport to the MACS page when I put it thru the window

[fatboypin]

I always open the passport to the MACS page when I put it thru the window

 

I hv stuck a post-it (the coloured plastic sort) to that page so that it is easy to flip to that page.

[fatboypin]

This is like those systems used in the airport? Too bad not 24 hrs at Tuas. Saves hassle of taking off and putting back on the helmet.

 

I'm thinking that you shld be PR / Long Term Pass holder / Work Permit / Dependent Pass , so you do not need to register

 

from http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=197

 

Operating Hours for BIKES Lanes

 

Woodlands Checkpoint:

24 hours everyday

 

Tuas Checkpoint:

Arrival Motorcycle – Monday to Saturday: 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.

Sunday: Closed

Departure Motorcycle – Monday to Saturday: 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Sunday: 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

 

Note: Operating hours for BIKES lanes are subject to change without prior notice.

 

Eligibility

 

The following groups of travellers can use BIKES without the need for enrolment:

 

•Singapore Citizens issued with the NRIC;

•Singapore Permanent Residents issued with the blue Singapore NRIC;

•Singapore Immigration Long Term Pass holders who have registered their fingerprints with ICA during the issuance of the new polycarbonate cards and

•Employment / Dependant’s pass holders who have registered their fingerprints with MOM during the issuance of the new polycarbonate cards.

 

ICA will extend the privilege of BIKES to the above categories of travellers automatically as long as they hold valid International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliant passport which have been updated with ICA or MOM. For eligible Singapore Permanent Residents and Singapore Immigration Long Term Pass holders, their latest passport details must be updated with ICA. This same applies for holders of Employment Pass and Dependent Pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

 

The following groups of travellers can enrol to use BIKES:

•Malaysian Passport Holders who are either: ◦Work Permit Holders;

â—¦Employment Pass Holders not issued with the new polycarbonate pass card;

◦Dependant’s Pass Holders not issued with the new polycarbonate pass card;

â—¦Student Pass Holders not issued with the new polycarbonate pass card;

â—¦Long Term Visit Pass Holders not issued with the new polycarbonate pass card

 

 

Enrolment

 

Travellers who wish to enrol with BIKES can apply through one of the two BIKES Enrolment Centres:

 

Woodlands Enrolment Centre - Woodlands Checkpoint

Blk E after Departure Car ST office

Operating Hours:

Monday to Friday: 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Saturday: 8.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.

 

 

Tuas Enrolment Centre - Tuas Checkpoint

Departure D3 ST office

Operating Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

 

Note: Operating hours for Enrolment Centres are subject to change without prior notice.

 

Enrolment is free of charge and will be processed on the same day.

 

Validity for BIKES

 

Singaporean

Same as passport expiry date.

 

Singapore Permanent Resident

Same as passport expiry date or REP expiry date, whichever is earlier.

 

Others

Same as passport expiry date or Pass expiry date, whichever is earlier.

 

Note: When there is a change of employment status for Pass holders, BIKES users, who require to be enrolled to use BIKES, are required to report at any Enrolment Centre with the relevant documents to update his/her enrolment details.

[ORen]

Thanks maddog, you are right, should be registered, will call IcA tomorrow just to make sure. I remember not being able to go through the airport automated clearance tho, so I'm not sure..

 

Looks like a much better option as the BiKES lanes are very free and faster than the booth ones.

 

@fatboypin, I think Tuas is not busy enough outside peak hours to justify having those lanes operated. Cause I suppose even if it's automated thy probably assign staff to watch over still...

[fatboypin]

Thanks maddog, you are right, should be registered, will call IcA tomorrow just to make sure. I remember not being able to go through the airport automated clearance tho, so I'm not sure..

 

Looks like a much better option as the BiKES lanes are very free and faster than the booth ones.

 

@fatboypin, I think Tuas is not busy enough outside peak hours to justify having those lanes operated. Cause I suppose even if it's automated thy probably assign staff to watch over still...

 

Yup. Agree.

 

May not need to register. Airport access no need to register beforehand. So long as biometric passport, should work.

Edited May 1, 2012 by fatboypin

[robertgl]

My passport expires aug 2013. Will I be able to apply for macs?

[fatboypin]

My passport expires aug 2013. Will I be able to apply for macs?

 

Shd be ok. MACS valid for 1 yr. i did mine, exp Mar 2014.

Try lor.

[robertgl]

Thanks for the reply. Will give it a try this sat.

 

Shd be ok. MACS valid for 1 yr. i did mine, exp Mar 2014.

Try lor.

[fatboypin]

Try later at night - 11+ or 12+.

virtually no queue. And I am referring to 2nd Link.

 

Thanks for the reply. Will give it a try this sat.

[ORen]

Yup. Agree.

 

May not need to register. Airport access no need to register beforehand. So long as biometric passport, should work.

 

Nope it doesn't. Passport is biometric. So I think for the airport I should register - which I never think of doing cause I just queue at the normal counter, they are the fastest in the world anyway

[maddog]

This is like those systems used in the airport? Too bad not 24 hrs at Tuas. Saves hassle of taking off and putting back on the helmet.

 

Hate to burst your bubble, but they ask you to remove your helmet when u r giving your thumbprint. I can never understand why, it's not like i would chop someone's thumb off to use at bikes. But I can't be bother to go argue with them.

 

Thanks maddog' date=' you are right, should be registered, will call IcA tomorrow just to make sure. I remember not being able to go through the airport automated clearance tho, so I'm not sure..[/quote']

 

While you are at it, ask about auto clearance at the checkpoints (i.e. airport, bus passenger @tuas/woodlands ), I once went on a dive trip with some green-carders and they could use the auto lanes @ the bus hall in tuas

[robertgl]

Thanks for the tip

 

Try later at night - 11+ or 12+.

virtually no queue. And I am referring to 2nd Link.

[fatboypin]

Hate to burst your bubble, but they ask you to remove your helmet when u r giving your thumbprint. I can never understand why, it's not like i would chop someone's thumb off to use at bikes. But I can't be bother to go argue with them.

 

Oh dammit. Defeats the purpose and contradicts the system at the airport where no one is there to verify ur ID as u scan. I'd call this discrimination against bikers.

[robertgl]

Quick update. Confirm passport less than 2 year left can apply. Got it done today. Thanks all for the advise and tips.

 

Try later at night - 11+ or 12+.

virtually no queue. And I am referring to 2nd Link.

[fatboypin]

Quick update. Confirm passport less than 2 year left can apply. Got it done today. Thanks all for the advise and tips.

 

good for u.

 

ride safe across the straits. i heard someone's african twin got stolen within 30 mins while in jb.

[robertgl]

Yup heard it was stolen from KSL shopping centre car park

 

good for u.

 

ride safe across the straits. i heard someone's african twin got stolen within 30 mins while in jb.

[ORen]

Guys, gotta ask cause I can't wrap my head around it : do you not have to stop at the MY customs booths once you have your MACS ?

 

Discussed it with some friends who just zoom through the customs in and out !

 

I sometimes see bikes not stopping but I always assumed they were Malaysians and had some kind of clearance right or something. But Singaporean friends tell me they don't bother to stop at the booth and nothing happens. Apparently their passport doesn't even get scanned when they do stop going into MY. Officer just looks at the macs and hands it back.

 

Mine is systematically scanned.

 

Any feedback on this and thoughts? Seems to be perfectly safe to not

stop at the booth, and no one gets stopped further if they do so.

 

I asked a custom officer yesterday and he told me its mandatory for all to stop. While he was sayin that, bikes kept zooming past us on the empty lane next to us -_- ..!