This document provides an overview of import regulations and requirements in Singapore. Key points include: - Singapore is a major global trading hub and port, ranked highly for ease of doing business. - Importers must register with Singapore Customs and pay applicable GST and/or duties. Over 95% of goods enter duty-free. - A variety of goods like alcohol, tobacco, vehicles and petroleum face customs duties and excise taxes. - Income tax applies to profits from Singapore sources. Free trade agreements reduce duties on some imports. - Strict customs documentation and declarations are required, with exceptions for repairs/samples. Free trade zones offer storage and processing. - Controls and licenses apply to certain goods

1. Importing Goods into Singapore
Alliott Asia Pacific Conference – Bali 2012
Caroline Berube
Managing Partner
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Guangzhou Shanghai Singapore www.hjmasialaw.com

2. SINGAPORE
Quick Stats
• Singapore is a regional trading hub and the Port of Singapore is amongst the
world's biggest ports. It is the second biggest traffic center for container
transshipment after Hong Kong.
• Singapore is ranked No. 1 for ease of doing business according to Doing Business
World bank Report 2-11
Foreign Trade
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Indicators
Imports of
263,155 319,780 245,785 310,791 365,771
Goods (million USD)
Exports of Goods (million
299,308 338,176 269,833 351,867 409,504
USD)
Imports of
74,405 87,202 79,117 96,255 110,491
Services (million USD)
Exports of
84,824 99,002 93,245 112,061 125,068
Services (million USD)
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3. REGISTRATIONS
• The following types of Traders are required to register their companies with the
Singapore Customs:
 TradeNet users Shipping agents/Airlines
 Participants of the Inter-Bank GIRO scheme
 Applicants of duty/GST exemption on goods other than used personal and
household effects
 Shipping agents/Airlines
 Operators of licensed warehouses and Zero GST (ZG) warehouses
*Note that a trader must be a company or business registered with the
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (“ACRA”).
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4. TAXES AND DUTIES
• GST applicable to imports
 GST and /or duty is payable on all imported goods irrespective of whether the
person importing the goods is a taxable person.
 GST is calculated based on the CIF (Costs, Insurance and freight) value plus any
applicable customs duty.
 GST is applied on an ad valorem basis.
 GST is currently 7%.
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5. TAXES AND DUTIES
• Import duties applicable
 More than 95% of all goods imported to Singapore enter duty free.
 For the remaining goods, ad valorem or specific duty rates may apply. An ad valorem
rate is a percentage of the Customs value of the goods, whereas a specific rate is a
specified amount per unit of weight or other quantity.
 There are four broad categories of dutiable goods:
1. Intoxicating liquors
Beer including ale Customs duty - $16.00 per litre of alcohol
Excise Duty - 48.00 per litre of alcohol
Sparkling wine Customs Duty- Nil
Excise Duty - $70.00 per litre of alcohol
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6. TAXES AND DUTIES
2.Tobacco products
Cigars cheroots & cigarillos containing tobacco
Customs Duty - Nil Excise Duty - $352.00 per kg
Other cigarettes containing tobacco
Customs Duty – Nil Excise Duty - 35.2 cents for every gram or part
thereof of each stick of cigarette
3. Motor vehicles
CKD mopeds & motorised bicycles reciprocating internal combustion engine not over 50cc
Customs Duty - Nil Excise Duty 12%
CKD motor cars spark-ignition combustion reciprocating engine not over 1000cc
excluding four wheel drive
Customs Duty – Nil Excise Duty 20%
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7. TAXES AND DUTIES
4. Petroleum products
Natural gas used as motor fuel
Customs Duty - Nil Excise Duty - 20 cents per kg
Motor spirit of RON under 90 leaded
Customs Duty – Nil Excise Duty - $6.30 per dal
 Zero GST Warehouse Scheme
 Scheme is applicable for companies who want to suspend GST on their non-dutiable
goods. There are three available licenses:
1. Warehouse Type I – at least 80% of the goods must be re-exported.
2. Warehouse Type II – no re-exportation requirements.
3. Warehouse Type III – no re-exportation requirements and can operate and move
goods freely between multiple ZG warehouse locations with a single license.
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8. TAXES AND DUTIES
• When is Income tax applicable?
 Singapore taxes on a territorial basis. A company is liable to pay tax on income
accrued in or derived from Singapore or income received in Singapore from
outside Singapore in respect of:
 gains or profits from any trade or business
 income from investment such as dividends, interest and rental
 royalties, premiums and any other profits from property
 other gains of an income nature
• Other taxes and duties
 Under Singapore's FTAs, imports of beer, stout, samsu and medicated samsu
originating from the FTA partner countries into Singapore will be subjected to
lower or zero customs duties.
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9. CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS
 All imports must be covered by the appropriate permit, and companies are required to
make an inward declaration to the Controller of Imports & Exports for all imported goods.
 All companies importing goods into Singapore require a Central Registration Number from
the Trade Development Board.
 Any GST and/or duties payable must be paid before clearance will be granted.
 Singapore has 7 Free Trade Zones (FTZ)
 6 for seaborne cargo and 1 for air cargo
 Facilities and services are provided for storage and re-export of dutiable and
controlled goods. Goods can be stored within the zones without any customs
documentation until they are released in the market.
 They can also be processed and re-exported with minimum customs formalities.
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10. CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS
• Exceptions
 Dutiable goods are allowed to be imported for repair without payment of duty
on condition that they are re-exported within 3 months of the date of
importation. If the goods are not re-exported the duty will become payable.
 Bona fide trade samples may be imported without payment of duty.
 Duty exemption and GST relief will be granted for wine used at wine
exhibitions and conference events approved under the Meetings, Incentives,
Conventions & Exhibitions (MICE) Incentive Scheme administered by the
Singapore Tourism Board.
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11. PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS
 The import of some goods are subject to the control of Controlling Agencies, which may
require approval or a license prior to the import of the goods.
 Controlled goods (approval/licenses required or certain quotas may apply)
e.g. animals, birds and products thereof; Cartridges/cassettes/audio compact
diskettes-pre-recorded; Timber and wood (CITES listed); Telecommunication
equipment; Publications.
o Under the 2002 Consumer Protection Regulations, 45 categories of electrical, electronic
appliances and accessories have been mentioned as controlled goods and require a stamp
of approval from Singapore government's standards and certification authority (SPRING
Singapore).
 Prohibited goods
e.g. Chewing Gum (except medicinal); Rhinoceros horn; pistol/revolver shaped
cigarette lighters; firecrackers; Any arms or related material and any item,
material, equipment, goods and technology related to nuclear programs,
ballistic missile programs and other weapons of mass destruction programs from
North Korea, Iran, Libya.
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12. QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
 The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore “AVA” regulates the import of
plants, insects, meat, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs etc.
 Certain products may only be imported from permitted countries, for e.g. raw or
processed beef, mutton and poultry may be imported from Argentina but pork
products are prohibited. No meat products may be imported from Israel.
 Importation or transshipment of animal or bird parts or products are subject to
following requirements:
 Each consignment requires a permit from the Director General
 The consignment must have a certificate signed by a competent veterinary
authority attesting to the condition of the part/product
 The consignment may be subjected to inspection, sampling and testing at the
Director-General’s discretion
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13. LABELLING
 Labels are required on imported food, drugs, liquor, paints and solvents and must meet
specific requirements, including displaying the country of origin.
 For example, the Singapore Food Regulations require all pre-packed food products for sale
in Singapore to be labelled in English according to the specified requirements. These
include:
 Name or description of food
 Statement of ingredient
 Declaration of foods and ingredients known to cause hypersensitivity
 Declaration of net content in package
 Name and address of the importer
 Country of origin (Name of the city, town or province alone is not suitable)
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14. LABELLING
 The “SAFETY Mark” is issued by the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board.
 All registered controlled goods must be individually marked with the “SAFETY Mark”
either on the product or packaging. The “SAFETY Mark” helps consumers and
traders to identify registered controlled goods.
 The “SAFETY Mark” comprises a logo enclosed in a square on the left and the
words "SAFETY MARK" within a rectangle on the right. A unique 8-digit registration
number traceable to the registrant and the registered models must be displayed
under the logo.
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15. ASSISTANCE FOR IMPORTERS
 TradeXchange
 A platform that facilitates the exchange of information within the trade and logistics
community.
 Provides inter-connectivity among commercial and regulatory systems.
 A single electronic window for integrated workflow, submissions and enquiries to the
Sea Ports, Airports, Maritime Authorities, Customs and Controlling Agencies.
 TradeNet
 A nationwide Electronic Data Interchange System which allows parties to exchange
trade information electronically, facilitating connectivity among the trading community.
 Singapore Customs and various other agencies use this System.
 Local Consulates , Chamber of Commerce and Trade Commissioners
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16. WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION
 http://www.customs.gov.sg/
 https://www.tradexchange.gov.sg/
 https://www.tradenet.gov.sg/
 http://www.iras.gov.sg/
 http://www.ica.gov.sg/
 http://www.ava.gov.sg/
 http://www.spring.gov.sg/
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17. Question and Answers Session
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Thanks for your attention
June 25, 2012
Guangzhou Shanghai Singapore www.hjmasialaw.com

18. HJM Asia Law & Co LLC
Caroline Berube
49, Kim Yam Road
Singapore
239353
Tel: +65 6755 9019 ext. 11
Fax: +65 6755 9017
Cell: +65 9800 9522
cberube@hjmasialaw.com
www.hjmasialaw.com
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