Thinking of shipping from UK to Singapore? As one of the world’s busiest trade hubs, Singapore offers great opportunities for UK exporters. To make the most of this market, a clear understanding of Singapore’s import regulations is essential for smooth customs clearance.
At SLG Logistics, we help UK businesses manage all aspects of exporting to Singapore, ensuring their goods reach their destination on time and within budget.
What the UK-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (UKSFTA) Means for Importers
The UK-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (UKSFTA) is an important development for UK businesses exporting to Singapore. Set up after Brexit to strengthen international trade ties, this agreement makes it easier and more affordable for British companies to enter the Singaporean market.
How the UKSFTA Benefits UK Exporters
Under the UKSFTA, a wide range of products including electronics, machinery, and other manufactured goods, can enter Singapore with reduced or zero tariffs. This helps UK exporters cut down on import costs and makes it simpler and faster to move goods through customs.
To access these benefits, goods must meet specific “rules of origin” requirements. This means they need to be made or significantly processed in the UK to qualify for reduced tariffs.
Import Authorities and Governing Bodies
When importing to Singapore, it’s important to understand the different agencies involved and the specific paperwork they require:
Singapore Customs
Singapore Customs is the main governing body managing the import process. It handles customs declarations and tariff regulations, as well as making sure that goods entering Singapore are authorised and meet all regulatory requirements.
Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
You’ll work with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) if your imports involve food products. The SFA monitors the safety and quality of food coming into Singapore, so food importers must follow specific regulations and may require additional permits or inspections to meet health and safety standards.
Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) oversees products like medicines, medical devices, and health supplements. It sets strict rules and manages the import of goods that impact public health.
Step-by-Step Process for Singaporean Customs
Once you’ve decided how to export from the UK to Singapore and chosen a frieght forwarder, you can start the process of preparing for Singaporean Customs.
1. Register and Submit a Customs Declaration
Before shipping your goods by air freight or sea freight, your business needs to register with Singapore Customs. This registration gives you access to Singapore’s TradeNet system, where you’ll submit a customs declaration that includes details like the type of goods, their value, and their origin. Customs will check your customs permit for accuracy, so it’s important to fill it out carefully to prevent delays.
If your goods need specific licenses or approvals, such as food items or pharmaceuticals, you will need to get those approvals before submitting your declaration.
2. Calculate Duties and Taxes
Only certain products, such as tobacco and alcohol, are dutiable goods in Singapore. Most other goods are charged a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 8%. Under the UKSFTA, some UK goods (like electronics, auto parts, and machinery) qualify for reduced or no tariffs, which can help you save on costs. SLG Logistics can help you work out if your goods qualify for any reductions under UKSFTA or other agreements.
3. Go Through Customs Clearance
When your shipment arrives, Singapore Customs will inspect the goods to confirm that everything meets import regulations. The shipment will be cleared for delivery as long as import duties and taxes are paid and the documentation is in order. You can make the process easier by having all the paperwork available, like invoices, permits, and shipping details.
Singapore’s Import Regulations: Restricted and Prohibited Goods
Singapore has strict import regulations on certain goods to protect public safety, security, and the environment.
Restricted and Dual-Use Goods
Some items imported into Singapore are classified as “restricted” or “dual-use” goods, meaning they are controlled and require special permit applications.
Restricted goods include telecommunications equipment, specific agricultural products, and materials that need close regulation due to potential environmental or safety risks. Dangerous cargo like biodiesel or perishable cargo such as food will generally face additional scrutiny during import inspections.
Dual-use goods, like chemicals that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, may also need additional authorisation. Getting the correct classification of your goods right is essential, as imported goods are subject to specific requirements, and getting this wrong can lead to freight being turned away at the port.
Prohibited Goods
Certain products are outright prohibited from entering Singapore, and some of these may be surprising. Items like chewing gum, certain tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and even toy guns are banned alongside more obvious items like illicit drugs, specific weapons, and obscene materials. Attempting to import prohibited items can lead to severe penalties, so it’s important to review Singapore’s prohibited goods list carefully to ensure your cargo is compliant.
Common Challenges in Importing to Singapore
Even with a solid grasp of Singapore’s import regulations, businesses can still face challenges when bringing goods into the country.
Tariff Barriers
While Singapore keeps tariffs low on most goods, some items still have high customs duty rates:
- All types of alcohol, like wine, beer, spirits, and intoxicating liquors, are taxed. The excise duty depends on the kind of drink and its alcohol content.
- Cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products have some of the highest levies in Singapore. Each unit or weight of tobacco is taxed at a set rate, which can add up quickly.
- Some products with petroleum, such as certain oils or lubricants, also have tariffs payable. The duty depends on the type of product and its intended use, so checking these details is important to get the final cost right.
- High-value items like cars face high tariffs and additional fees to manage the number of vehicles on the road. Vehicle shipping from UK to Singapore takes careful planning to manage the costs and make sure everything meets local regulations.
Understanding these tariffs ahead of time helps businesses plan their costs accurately, avoid surprises, and set realistic pricing.
Non-Tariff Barriers
Non-tariff barriers are rules that don’t involve taxes but still need to be followed. For example, certain products like electronics must meet strict safety and quality standards. Meeting these standards usually means providing specific paperwork, using approved packaging, and sometimes even doing lab tests.
Non-tariff barriers can also include licensing requirements, which need to be arranged in advance so all paperwork is ready before shipping.
Make SLG Your Trusted Partner for Importing to Singapore
Tackling Singapore’s import process on your own can feel overwhelming, with complex regulations, strict standards, and time-consuming paperwork. But with SLG Logistics, you don’t have to face it alone. Our team will handle every step of the process, from working out tariffs and securing permits to managing all required documentation.
Contact us today to get a quote and find out how we can make importing to Singapore smoother, faster, and stress-free.