Dutiable Goods and Items

Under Singapore law, it is mandatory for arriving travellers to pay taxes to bring in cigarettes, tobacco products and all goods exceeding the duty-free concession and Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief. For more details, please refer to Singapore Customs.

If you are bringing dutiable goods into Singapore, declare them at the Red Channel as you exit the baggage claim area. Do not proceed to the Green Channel.

Duties and GST can be paid via:

If you fail to make an accurate and complete declaration of any goods with you that exceeds duty-free concession and GST relief, including goods carried on behalf of other persons, you can be fined and prosecuted in court. 

Tax Relief

A 9% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied on all goods imported into Singapore. If you are a visitor, tourist, returning citizen or permanent resident of Singapore, you will be granted tax relief for all new purchases (excluding liquor and tobacco) under these conditions:

Period away from Singapore 

Value of Goods Granted GST Relief*

48 hours and above

S$500

Less than 48 hours

S$100

*GST is applicable on the value of goods in excess of the respective relief limits.

 

Duty-free Concession

Enjoy duty-free concession if:

  • You are 18 years old or above; 
  • You have spent 48 hours or more outside Singapore immediately before arrival; 
  • You are not arriving from Malaysia; 
  • Your liquor purchase is for your own consumption and not prohibited from import into Singapore.

More on Duty-Free Liquor Concessions

For further details on duty-free concession and GST relief, please visit the Singapore Customs website here.

PROHIBITED AND CONTROLLED ITEMS

Here are some items that are disallowed entry into Singapore without proper authorisation:​
  • Empty cartridges
  • Live bullets
  • Ornaments made from empty cartridges
  • Bullet-shaped lighters
  • Grenade-shaped lighters
     
  • Firearms
  • Stun guns
  • Replica guns
  • Antique guns
  • Toy guns
  • Gun-shaped lighters
     
  • Knuckle duster
  • Nunchaku
  • Ninja shoku
  • Ninja star
  • Truncheon
     
  • Flick knife
  • Butterfly knife
  • Handcuffs
  • Pepper spray
  • Catapult
  • Crossbow
     

Items that may affect community health, public safety and animal life also require an import license or authorisation from the respective authorities for entry into Singapore. Here are some controlled items categorised under the respective authorities:

Items Competent Authority
  • Animals, birds and their by-products
  • Plants, potting medium and organic fertilisers
  • Ornamental fish
  • Veterinary vaccines
  • Veterinary micro-organisms and plant pests
  • Pet food

National Parks Board

Tel: 1800 471 7300
www.nparks.gov.sg
www.nparks.gov.sg/feedback

  • Food of any kind, both raw and cooked (e.g., meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, eggs and processed food products)

Singapore Food Agency

Tel: +65 6805 2871
www.sfa.gov.sg
www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback

  • Newspaper, books and magazines
  • Films, video tapes, VCDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray discs
  • CD/DVD-ROM and video games
  • Telecommunication and radio communication equipment
  • Walkie-talkies

Info-communications Media Development Authority

Tel: 1800 478 5478
www.imda.gov.sg
info@imda.gov.sg

  • Medicine products
  • Other health products containing schedule poisons

Health Sciences Authority

Tel: +65 6213 0838
www.hsa.gov.sg
hsa_info@hsa.gov.sg

  • Ionising Radiation (IR) Irradiating Apparatus & Radioactive Material
  • X-ray equipment, devices containing radioactive materials, ore or any substances containing radioactive materials above the exemption limit, etc.
  • Non-Ionising Radiation (NIR) Irradiating Apparatus
  • Ultraviolet sunlamps, microwave ovens, selected ultrasound equipment (including high intensity focused ultrasound device), laser equipment (including laser pointers above regulatory limit of 5 milli-Watt), etc.

National Environment Agency (Radiation Protection & Nuclear Science Department)

www.nea.gov.sg
nea_rpnsd_tradenet@nea.gov.sg

TIPS FOR A SMOOTH ARRIVAL

  • Pass through the Green Channel if you have no goods to declare.
  • Pass through the Red Channel if you have goods to declare.
  • Bulk baggage can be collected at the usual baggage claim area.
  • If you have lost or damaged baggage, contact the handling agent representing your airline.