Customs peculiarities of the State of Singapore
Due to the specifics of work, seafarers often have to cross the borders of different countries to sign on or off from a vessel.
We have prepared for you an informational post about the peculiarities of Singapore’s import and export procedures.
Laws and violations of the law are taken very seriously in Singapore, fines are large and there is zero tolerance. Some types of goods cannot be imported/exported at all, while others require an import/export permit.
Singapore's customs rules and regulations comply with international standards and provide for the use of the green and red corridor system widely used throughout the world.
Tip: If, upon arriving in Singapore, you are in doubt about which customs corridor you need to go through, Red or Green, and whether you need to declare anything, check with the officer BEFORE customs control. Again, because the fines for violations are large.
IMPORT:
- Rules for bringing cash:
You can freely take cash in and out of Singapore in national or any other foreign currency in an amount equivalent to 30,000 Singapore dollars (approximately 22,000 USD) without filling out a customs declaration. Amounts exceeding the specified limit must be reported. Money on bank cards is not taken into account when determining the cash limit.
- Items prohibited to be imported into Singapore are:
- chewing gum;
- chewing and snuff tobacco,
- imitation tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes;
- tobacco for hookahs;
- soluble tobacco and nicotine;
- any tobacco or nicotine for topical use (for example, patches);
- strong medications or those containing narcotic substances without a prescription;
- any drugs (importation is subject to severe punishment up to the death penalty);
- pistol-shaped lighters;
- fireworks and firecrackers;
- magazines, videos, CDs with erotic and, especially, pornographic content;
- ivory or materials from endangered wild animals;
- copies of copyright publications, software, video recordings on CDs and cassettes;
- brass knuckles, nunchucks, switchblade knives (even the smallest ones), butterfly knives or finks.
- What you need to declare and pay import duty for in Singapore:
- any tobacco products: cigarettes and cigars;
- automobile fuel (if you suddenly bring something like that with you);
- alcohol above the limit
limit:
1 liter of wine + 1 liter of spirits + 1 liter of beer or
2 liters of wine + 1 liter of beer, or
1 liter of wine and 2 liters of beer.
- new goods for personal use worth more than 600 Singapore dollars (USD 440);
- new goods for a third party (for example, you are asked to bring something to Singapore or you bring something as a gift);
- Which goods require a permit to be imported in Singapore:
- animals and plants;
- meat and meat products;
- fish and fish products;
- fruits and vegetables;
- bulletproof clothing;
- any types of weapons (including dummies and toys);
- handcuffs and police batons;
- video or radio communication equipment (including walkie-talkies);
- medical and pharmaceutical goods (to import prescription medications for personal use, you must have an appropriate doctor’s prescription with);
- discs with computer games or films.
You must pass through the Red Corridor with all goods that require an import permit or payment of customs duties.
If you try to go through the Green Corridor (without declaring them and paying the duty), you bear the risk of being taken to court and fined up to S$10,000 (USD 7,300) or jailed for up to 3 years.
EXPORT:
- The following items cannot be exported from Singapore without special permission:
- weapons, explosives;
- animals, poisons and precious stones;
- antiques.
Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Therefore, one should take Singapore customs regulations with all the seriousness.
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