CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

All pets are subject to importation requirements, and some may be prohibited.

General Requirements

•  Before making any decisions, you should consider how its age, medical conditions and the stress of travelling could affect it during the journey,
• If you are importing a dog, you must obtain a dog licence before applying for an import licence.
• An import licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• You should identify the country of origins rabies risk category. You can find a list of countries and their rabies risk categorisations here.
• Make sure the animal is up to date on their rabies and general vaccinations.
• The animal must also undergo a rabies blood test at least 28 days after a valid vaccination has been administered. The test must be done at least 90 days and within 12 months prior to the date of departure. The test must be conducted at an approved laboratory by the respective Competent Authority from the country of origin.
• Send the animal for parasite treatment.
• You must obtain a Veterinary Health Certificate,
• Book an inspection with Singapore customs.
• When checking in, present your animal's import licence.
  
• Reserve a quarantine space for the animal, if applicable.
• For animals from Schedule II countries, they will be required to quarantine if they arrive more than five days after the owner has arrived, has been with the owner for less than six months from the date of departure or if it is being brought in on a commercial import licence. You can find a link to apply for a home quarantine here. If the application for quarantining is approved, the licence holder shall comply with the Conditions for quarantining at home, which includes the use of a smart collar tag.
• For animals from Schedule III countries, a post-arrival quarantine of at least 30 days is required at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC). They will be vaccinated against rabies upon arrival. The owner will be responsible for ensuring a quarantine space is booked at the AQC, which can be done via the Quarantine Management System. The owner must provide the animal's vaccination records which contain information on the animal's microchip number, the date of their last vaccinations, the vaccine brand name and batch number and a signature/endorsement of the attending veterinarian.

Banned Breeds

The following breeds of dog are prohibited from entering Singapore:

• Pit Bulls.
• Akita.
• Boerboel.
• Dogo Argentino.
• Fila Brasileiro.
• Neapolitan Mastiff.
• Tosa.
• Perro De Presa Canario.
• Crosses of any of the above breeds.

First to fourth generation Bengal or Savanah crosses are the only breeds of cat not allowed to enter Singapore.

For further information, please visit the Singapore Animal & Veterinary Service.

Free to Import

Tobacco

• There is no duty-free concession on any tobacco products brought into Singapore.

Alcohol (restricted to passengers who are 18 years or above, have been out of Singapore for 48 hours or more, and have not come from Malaysia)

One of following combinations:

• 1 litre of spirits, 1 litre of wine and 1 litre of beer;
• 2 litres of wine;
• 1 litre of wine and 2 litres of beer.
• 1 litre of spirts and 1 litre of beer.
• 1 litre of spirits and 1 litre of wine.

Other goods

• Travellers who have been out of Singapore for more than 48 hours are entitled to S$600 worth of duty-free goods for personal use.
• Travellers who have been out of Singapore for less than 48 hours are entitled to S$150 worth of duty-free goods for personal use.
• Holders of a work permits, employment passes, student passes, dependent passes or long-term pass issued by the Singapore Government and crew members are not eligible for GST relief.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Chewing gum, with the exception of oral dental and medicated gum approved by the Health Sciences Authority.
• Rhinoceros Horn.
• Imitation tobacco products.
• Shisha.
• eCigarettes.
• Any nicotine or tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, dissolvable tobacco or nicotine, nasal and oral snuff, tobacco or nicotine to be used in an eCigarette or vaporiser, nicotine or tobacco to be used by implant or injection, and gutkha, khaini and zarda.
• Cigarette lighters of a revolver or pistol shape.
• Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances.
• Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products.
• Firecrackers.
• Obscene articles and publications.
• Seditious or treasonable materials
• Counterfeit materials or items breaching copyrights.
• Telecommunications Equipment.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Animals, birds and their by-products, meat and meat products, fish and seafood products, and fruit and vegetables all require a permit from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore.
• Arms and explosives, bullet-proof clothing, toy guns, pistols and revolvers, and weapons such as spears and swords require a permit from the Singapore Police Force.   
• Medicines require a physician's prescription. Medicines, pharmaceuticals and poisons are regulated by the Health Sciences Authority.
• Radioactive materials, ionising radiation, irradiating apparatus, and non-ionising radiation apparatus such as laser pointers, microwaves, and sunlamps require a permit from the National Environment Agency.
   

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

On departure, tourists may be able to claim a tax refund on goods purchased during their visit. For further information, please visit Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Tourist Refund Scheme.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

• All items on the prohibited to import list.

For further information, please visit Singapore Customs.