Singapore - Customs Regulations

All goods imported into Singapore are subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) at a rate of 7% , in other countries is known as VT (Value Added Tax). GST is a broad-based consumption tax levied on the import of goods, as well as nearly all supplies of goods and services in Singapore.
GST was first introduced in Singapore on 1 Apr 1994.  From 1 Jul 2007 onwards, the GST rate is 7%. 

For more in depth information about GST please refer to Singapore Inland Revenue authority website

Foreigners who are moving to Singapore may apply to Customs for GST relief on personal and household belongings. Your removal company should organize this for you, but you will need to provide them with the following documents:

• A photocopy of the application for an Employment Pass with the acknowledged receipt of the Immigration Department
• A letter from the employer confirming employment and the employer’s undertaking to pay the GST if the employee’s Employment Pass application is not approved.
• Importation documents clearly stating that the imported goods are personal effects or household articles.

Import controlled – the following items must be checked by a customs officer

• Animals, birds and their by-products, meat, fish, seafood, fruit and vegetables
• Arms and explosives, bullet-proof clothing, weapons, spears and swords
• Prescription drugs, no more than three months' supply.
• Non-prescription drugs should be limited to five pieces of each item.
• Toy guns, pistols and revolvers
• Telecommunication equipment and toy walkie-talkies
• Pre-recorded cartridges and cassettes, books and publications, films, videotapes, videodisks - Video tapes and films must be screened by the Board of Film Censorship which can be very costly, approximately $3.00 per 1/2 hour of viewing time and it is easier if none are included in your shipment. Certain categories of videos are exempted from vetting. If your videos are amongst the exempted categories, you can complete an exemption form and declare your videos for exemption to Customs. It is an offence to import obscene videos.

Customs duties and GST are levied on the import of liquor, tobacco products and motor vehicles.
For more information go to www.customs.gov.sg

Duty free alcohol allowance for travellers into Singapore is:
1 litre spirits (brandy, whisky, gin, rum, vodka, etc.), 1 litre wine, and 1 litre beer. There is no duty free allowance for cigarettes.
When arriving in Singapore go through the red channel if you have over the duty free allowance or have any of the prohibited or controlled items listed above.

• Singapore Customs
  55 Newton Road
  #10-01 Revenue House
  Singapore
  307987
  Tel: + 65 6355 2000
  Fax: + 65 6250 8663
  website: www.customs.gov.sg
  

Pets

Import Permit - Application for Permit to Import Animals / Birds as Personal Pets must be sent to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore.

• Agri-food and Veterinary Authority
  75 Pasir Panjang Road
  Singapore
  118507
  Tel: + 65 6227 0670
  Fax: + 65 6227 6305
  website: www.ava.gov.sg

Quarantine - Only dogs and cats from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom [Great Britain and Northern Ireland], Republic of  Ireland and Malaysia are exempt from quarantine. Owners of all other pets must submit an Application & Acceptance for Animal Quarantine Space form (AA Form). Refer to the section of "Import, Export and Transshipment of Pets - Personal "on the AVA website for any further information.

There will be a minimum thirty day quarantine period.

For more information about the quarantine process go to www.petmovers.com.sg/quarantinefaqs.html