The Royal Customs and Excise Building is just one of several historically significant and architecturally pleasing buildings that can be found in Muar town. This building, built in 1909, is located along Jalan Maharani. It has a small gallery and was once an important landmark in Muar, as it served as a landing port and a railway terminal.

A 17km light railway line was constructed between Muar (also known as Bandar Maharani or Empress City) and Parit Jawa in 1890, under the administration of Muar State Railway. This brought about a rapid growth to the port, as agricultural produce from Parit Jawa and surrounding villages were transported to Melaka and Singapore via the port.

The construction of the trunk road between Muar and Batu Pahat later had so severely affected the popularity of the rail transportation that it was subsequently discontinued in the first quarter of the 1900s.