Singapore Immigration and Customs

Generally, foreigners who do not require visas for entry and are visiting Singapore as tourists, may be given up to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival in Singapore. For more information on visa requirements, click here. To find out more about the types of visas and to download the necessary application forms, click here.

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Tourists, however, should have valid passports, onward / return tickets, onward facilities (e.g. visas, entry permits, etc.) to their next destination and sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore. If they require a longer stay, they may apply to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority after their arrival.

Women in an advanced state of pregnancy (i.e. 6 months or more) intending to visit Singapore should make prior application to the nearest Singapore overseas mission.

Contact details of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority are:

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
ICA Building
10 Kallang Road
Singapore 208718
Tel: (65) 6391 6100
Fax: (65) 6298 0843/6298 0837
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://app.ica.gov.sg/index.asp

Customs Formalities

Currency

There is no restriction on the amount of currency you can bring in.

Dutiable Goods

• Intoxicating liquors including wine, beer, ale, stout and port
• Tobacco including cigarettes and cigars
• Motor spirit

Non-Dutiable Goods

• Electronic and electrical goods
• Cosmetics
• Cameras, clocks and watches
• Jewellery, precious metals and precious stones
• Footwear
• Arts and Crafts
• Toys

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

There is a 5% Goods and Services Tax levied on all goods imported into Singapore.

GST-Free/Duty-Free Concessions

New articles, souvenirs, gifts and food preparations up to values below:

• SGD 50 if traveller has been away from Singapore for less than 24 hrs
• SGD 150 if traveller has been away from Singapore for 24 hrs or more but less than 48 hrs
• SGD 300 if traveller has been away from Singapore for 48 hrs or more

The following duty-free concessions are granted to travellers arriving from countries other than Malaysia and who have been away from Singapore for 48 hrs or more:

• 1 litre spirits (brandy, whisky, gin, rum, vodka, etc.)
• 1 litre wine
• 1 litre beer or stout or ale

Duty-free concessions are granted for personal consumption only. It is an offence to sell or give them away. There is no GST relief and duty-free concession on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Travellers arriving from Malaysia will not be granted GST relief and duty-free concession on cigarettes, tobacco products, intoxicating liquors and motor spirits. The items may be brought in only on payment of duty and GST.

GST and duties must be paid on goods brought in for trade, commercial or business purposes and goods carried on behalf of other persons. Cars and vans carrying such goods should proceed to the lorry lane where the goods together with the relevant Customs permits and supporting documents should be produced for Customs clearance.

Excess Goods

Goods exceeding the GST/duty-free concessions can be brought in only on payment of GST and Customs Duty.

Transit passengers arriving by air at the Changi Airport may keep their excess items in the Customs Bond pending departure through either Terminal 1 or 2 of the same airport. Warehouse rent is chargeable.

Prohibited Items

The following items are not allowed to be brought into Singapore:

• Intoxicating liquors and cigarettes marked with the words "SINGAPORE DUTY NOT PAID" on the labels, cartons or packets
• Cigarettes with the prefix "E" printed on the packets
• Chewing gum
• Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products
• Cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape
• Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
• Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products
• Firecrackers
• Obscene articles, publications, video tapes/discs and software
• Reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or cassettes
• Seditious and treasonable materials

Controlled & Restricted Items

Entry for any of the items listed in the table below will only be allowed on production of import permit or other authorisation from the relevant authority. For more information, visit the Singapore Customs site.

Travellers with medicine which may only be obtained through prescription under Singapore law, especially sleeping pills, depressants and stimulants, must possess a prescription from a physician confirming that the medicine is used solely for the traveller's physical well-being.

The list of dutiable, non-dutiable, controlled and restricted goods is not exhaustive and is subject to change without notice. For clarification or further information, visit the Singapore Customs site or contact:

The Customs Duty Officer
Duty Office Terminal 1
Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore 819642
Tel: (65) 6542 7058
Fax: (65) 6542 7059

The Customs Duty Officer
Duty Office Terminal 2
Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore 918143
Tel: (65) 6543 0755 Fax: (65) 6542 3009

The Deputy Officer Commanding
Support Services Airports Branch
Airports Customs & Excise Dept
Singapore Changi Airport
PO Box 5
Singapore 914181
Tel: (65) 6543 0764
Fax: (65) 6542 3009

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