JVK International Movers.
30 Tuas Avenue 10, #05-04
Singapore 639150
Tel: 65-6257-1143
Fax: 65-6555-5501
E-mail: Please contact branch through the Contact Us page
SINGAPORE
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Documentation Required For Customs Clearance
Returning Singaporeans
1. Photocopy of passport with details of personal particulars and photograph.
2. A letter from you or your employer in Singapore addressed to The Director General of Excise Department, stating dates and reason for departure and return to Singapore.
3. If you are working, studying or residing overseas, kindly provide a copy of your working, student or residential status documentation.
4. Completed Declaration of Facts form.
5. Completed Importation of Used Personal Household Effects form.
Please note that a copy of your marriage certificate is required if the shipment is being declared by your spouse.
Foreigners:
1. Photocopy of passport with details of personal particulars and photograph.
2. Photocopy of your Singapore Employment/Dependant Pass duly endorsed by the Singapore Immigration Authorities in your passport, or green card valid for more than six months, issued by Singapore Immigration.
3. Permanent residents of Singapore are to provide a copy of your Identification Card or PR status (if applicable), and a letter either from your company or yourself stating reasons for importing personal effects into Singapore.
4. Completed Declaration of Facts form.
5. Completed Importation of Used Personal Household Effects form.In the event that your Employment/Dependant Pass is still being processed, please provide the following documents to JVK for tax-exempted import clearance: 1. Photocopy of passport with details of personal particulars and photograph.
2. Photocopy of the complete set of application forms (Form 8) submitted to Singapore Immigration.
3. Acknowledgement letter from Singapore Immigration or Immigration endorsement on your application letter.
4. A letter from your sponsor or company made to the attention of the Director General of Customs & Excise Department, certifying your employment.
5. Completed Declaration of Facts form.
6. Completed Importation of Used Personal Household Effects form.
Please note that a copy of your marriage certificate is required if the shipment is being declared by your spouse.
CLEARANCE TIMES
- Under normal circumstances, air shipments can be customs cleared and delivered within 2 to 3 working days, while sea shipments may take 3 to 5 working days, if all necessary permits have been approved and forwarded to JVK Intl Movers prior to the arrival of the shipments.
- Kindly provide the following documents to us by email at singapore@jvkasia.com prior to the arrival of your shipments. This is to avoid incurring unnecessary expenses for Customs and Excise duties, Goods and Services Tax (GST), as well as possible container demurrage and/or detention and storage costs.
PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
- Alcohol:
Heavy duties will be imposed on the import of Spirits and Wine. Current customs tariffs are as follows:
| Still Wine | S$ 9.50/litre |
| Sparkling Wine | S$13.00/litre |
| Liquors, Whiskies, etc | S$30.00/litre |
A test may be carried out by the Department of Scientific Services for Spirits/Wines not listed with Singapore Customs, and the duty will be levied according to the alcoholic content. The testing fee is S$80.00 per bottle. Cigarettes / Cigars / Tobacco : S$ 115.00 / kg
Please be advised that certain goods are prohibited/restricted from entry into Singapore unless prior approval has been obtained. Some examples of prohibited/restricted goods are as follows:
Pornographic materials
Banned literature
Recorded video tapes/laser discs/DVD/VCD
Firearms
Hazardous/corrosive materials
Explosive substances
Exempted Categories:
With effect from 1 April 1993 the following categories of videos brought in by companies for their in-house use by individuals for home viewing are exempted from censorship:
a. For a Company’s In-House Viewing
i. Training and Industrial videos
ii. Advertising and Promotional videos
b. For Home Viewing
i. Ballet, Opera, Classical and Jazz Videos
ii. Educational videos
iii. Documentary videos
iv. Sport vidos
v. Cartoon videos meant for children
The above exempted categories must not have contents, which depict sex, nudity, gratuitous violence, drug abuse or which denigrate any race or religion or affect Singapore’s national interest and are not otherwise obscene or lewd.
Airport Checkpoints:
If you are carrying exempted videos through Airport Checkpoints, you should:
Declare in a prescribed form that your videos fall within the exempted categories. Hand over both videos and forms to the Customs Officer on duty who will release them to you if he is satisfied with your Declaration. However, random checks may be made. In the event, obtain a receipt.
If you are carrying exempted videos through Airport Checkpoints, you should:
Deposit the videos with the Customs Officer and obtain a receipt.
The non-exempted videos will be referred to the Board of Film Censors (BFC) for censorship. Owners can pay the censorship fees and collect the videos from the Board after seven (7) days.Other Checkpoints
If you are carrying exempted videos through Airport Checkpoints, you should:
Fill in a similar prescribed form if your videos fall within the exempted categories. Deposit both the exempted and non-exempted videos with the Customs officer and obtain a receipt. Both the exempted and non-exempted videos will be referred to BFC where random checks will be made on the exempted videos. The Board will censor the non-exempted videos. Owners can collect both categories of videos from the Board after seven (7) days from the date of deposit at the Customs. Non-exempted videos will be released after payment of censorship fees.
Cargo Consignment
If you are carrying videos through other checkpoints, you should:
Obtain an Important Permit either personally at BFCs counter, by fax or through the Trade Net. Declare in similar prescribed forms if the videos fall within the exempted categories. Your videos will be released if BFC is satisfied with the Declaration. If random checks are necessary, the Board will indicate this in the Import Permit.
False Declaration
In all cases, owners making false declaration will be prosecuted.
Collection of Videos
The videos referred to the Board from all checkpoints can be collected from BFC, located at:
BOARD OF FILM CENSOR
31-C Exeter Road
#06-01 Comcentre 3
Singapore 239734
Tel: 6734 7348
Collection hours:
Mon C Fri 9.00am C 12.00pm 1.30pm C 4.00pm
Sat 9.00am C 12.00pm
Inspection &/or Erasure Fees
Inspection fees (per half hour of viewing or part thereof) are as follows:
Entertainment for private and domestic use: S$ 3.00
For a company’s in-house viewing: S$ 40.00 Erasure fee of S$5.00 per half hour or part thereof for removing any objectionable scenes from videos going for personal use. Erasure fee of S$20.00 per half hour or part thereof for removing any objectionable scenes from videos going for closed circuit TV/ company use. Every videotape, a certificate fee of S$1.00 will be charged.
The client may arrange processing of video through the Films and Publications Department directly. Alternatively, JVK International Movers will make all necessary arrangements at a fee of S$120.00 for each batch of videotapes imported. This fee will be invoiced to the client directly.
Please provide a title list of all videotapes in the shipment and pack separately and accessible, clearly marked Video Tapes (or DVDs, VCDs etc).
MOTOR VEHICLES (AUTOS AND MOTORBIKES)
- You can only import cars that are less than 3 years of age
- The age of a used vehicle is valid from the date of its first registration date in the foreign country
- If you cannot ascertain the first registration date of the vehicle, the age of your car will be deemed to be valid from the first manufacture.
- All modifications made to your car must be properly certified and must be carried out by the manufacturer or an agent authorized manufacturer.
- Your car must use unleaded petrol
- Your car must use CFC-free air conditioners
- Your car must pass a mechanical inspection at LTA
- Only right-hand drive cars are allowed to be registered for use in Singapore
- Your car must be fitted with approved front and rear seat safety belts. The safety belts and the anchorage points must meet the recognized international standards and labels must be mounted in the car. Duty and Goods & Services Tax (GST)
Any person wishing to import motor vehicles for local use has to apply for a duty and GST payment permit. Duty on a motor car is levied at 20% of the Customs assessed value whilst for a motorcycle or scooter, it is levied at 12% of the Customs assessed value. The 7% GST is computed based on the CIF value (cost, insurance & freight) plus the duty payable.
Assessment of value on motor vehicles. The Singapore Customs will assess the Open Market Value (OMV) of the car, based on the purchase price, freight insurance, handling and all other charges incidental to the sale and delivery of the vehicle in Singapore. Incidental charges include the inspection and documentation fees, cost of registration and de-registration, internal taxes, cost of accessories, commission etc, which have been paid on the said vehicle. For the purpose of duty assessment, you are required to submit the following:
– Original Purchase Invoice – Freight and Insurance Papers
– Bills/Receipts relating to other incidental charges
– Documents relating to exhaust emission test, windscreen test, etc
– Vehicle Date card
– Vehicles registration and/or de-registration documents (if previously registered),
– Manufacturers letter confirming the date of manufacture of the vehicle
Importing / Registering Your Car
Arrange with your shipping agent to obtain an Inward Cargo Clearance Permit. Your agent will have to submit this permit to the Singapore Customs using the Tradenet System. Only vehicles that are less than 3 years of age may be imported and registered for use in Singapore. A surcharge of S$10,000.00 is payable for each imported used car registered in Singapore. After the pre-requisite importation documents for the vehicle have been submitted to LTA for verification and clearance, your car will be required to pass a mechanical inspection at the LTA before it can be registered. All motor vehicles in Singapore must be registered with the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
FOR DETAILED INFORMATION & STEP BY STEP GUIDE, PLEASE REFER TO: www.onemotoring.com.sg
ANIMALS AND PETS
- These regulations includes Guinea Pigs, Rodents, Chinchillas, Rabbits, Hare, Hamsters.
- Import Permit
A valid Import Permit issued by the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore must accompany each consignment of animals.
Veterinary Certification
Each consignment of animals must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate dated within seven (7) days prior to the date of export and signed or endorsed by a government veterinary authority of the country of export, giving details of the following:
– type
– breed
– sex
– colour
The health certificate should also include details certifying the following:
– the animal did not originate from the wild
– the animal has been kept since birth or for the past six months
– the animal has been treated for external parasites not less than four (4) days and not more than fourteen (14) days prior to export
– the animal is healthy and free from any clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease and external parasites at the time of export and deem fit to travel.
Quarantine
The animal shall be subject to two (2) weeks quarantine at an AVA approved premises. AVA officers may inspect the animal at the quarantine premises during the quarantine period.
Application For Import Permit
The owner or his agent must apply for the Import Permit by submitting the completed application Form CVC/3(1) for personal effects to the Import & Export Division at least five (5) working days prior to date of arrival of the consignment.
Notification of Arrival
The owner or his agent shall contact the Quarantine Office as stated in the Import Permit at least one working day before the arrival of the animal.
Veterinary Inspection
On arrival at the port of disembarkation in Singapore, the animal and documents (Import Permit and Veterinary Health Certificate) shall be examined by an authorized Veterinary Office. If the animal is found to be healthy and the documents are in order, the animal shall be allowed in Singapore. The owner must confirm the address where the animal will be quarantined on the Import Permit.
Penalty
If the animals are not healthy or if documents are not in order or if quarantine space is not approved, the animals shall be detained for two (2) weeks for observation prior to quarantine or destroyed or returned to the country of export at the discretion of the Director-General of Agri-food and Veterinary Services. In addition, the importer may be subject to prosecution.
Other Requirements
Animals must be consigned to Singapore in a secure container that meets the relevant container requirements specified in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations.
Import of animals as personal effects is restricted to 5 animals of each species only.
Any expenditure incurred in the process of importation shall be borne by the importer
Regulations and fees are subject to change without notice notwithstanding the issuance of a Permit by AVA.
Regulations are subject to change without notice notwithstanding the issuance of a permit by AVA
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE REFER TO: www.ava.gov.sg
These regulations include dogs and cats.
Import Permit
Each animal must be accompanied by a valid import permit issued by the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore.
Veterinary Certification
The animal shall be accompanied by:
a veterinary health certificate bearing a date not more than seven (7) days prior to export and signed by a registered veterinarian of the country of export describing the age, breed, sex, colour, markings or other points of identification of dog/cat and certifying to the effect that:
i. the dog/cat was examined by the registered veterinarian and found to be healthy, free from any clinical sign of infectious or contagious disease and fit for travel at the time of export.
ii. In the case of a puppy, the puppy was at a minimum of twelve (12) weeks of age at the time of export.
iii. In the case of a dog under sixteen (16) weeks of age, the dog was vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis and Canine Parvoviral infection with at least two (2) vaccinations, four (4) weeks apart, and the second vaccination must be given at least two (2) weeks prior to export, or In the case of a dog sixteen (16) weeks of age and above, the dog was vaccinated at least once not less than two (2) weeks and not more than one (1) year prior to export against Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis and Canine Parvoviral infection.
iv. in the case of a dog, it has been examined by the registered veterinarian at the time of export and found to be implanted with a microchip that bears the identification code as that indicated in the veterinary health certificate (microchip identification code of the dog should be stated in the veterinary health certificate) and the dogs vaccination certificate;
b. in the case of a dog, its original vaccination certificate, which bears also the identification code of the microchip that has been implanted into the dog. The vaccination certificate of the dog also bears the details (name of veterinarian, name and address of veterinary practice) and endorsement of licensed/registered veterinarian who implanted the microchip into the dog.
c. An export permit from the country of export. (This is waived if the veterinary health certificate is issued or endorsed by a government or government-appointed veterinarian of the country of export)
Quarantine
Upon arrival the animal shall be vaccinated with an anti-rabies vaccine (irrespective of whether it had been vaccinated or not before import) and subsequently quarantined for a period of not less than 30 days. The animal must be at least 3 months of age at the time of vaccination. The owner or his agent is responsible for ensuring that quarantine space is available at the Jurong Animal Quarantine Station.
Application For Import Permit
The owner or his agent must apply for the import permit by submitting the completed import application Form CVC/3(1) for personal effects and Application and Acceptance for Animal Quarantine Space in Jurong Animal Quarantine Station form to the Import & Export Division of AVA, at least seven working days prior to the date of arrival of the animal.
Import & Export Division
5 Maxwell Road #02-00
Tower Block, MND Complex
Singapore 069110
Tel : 65 6227 0670
Fax : 65 6227 6305
Mr. Yap Hin Hoo C Yap_Him_Hoo@ava.gov.sg
Ms. Tan Yeow Fong – Tan_Yeow_Fong@ava.gov.sg
The Owner of his agent must contact the Quarantine Office as stated in the Import Permit at least one working day before the arrival of the animal.
Veterinary Inspection
On arrival at the port of disembarkation in Singapore, the dog/cat and documents (Import Permit, Veterinary Health Certificate) shall be presented to and examined by an authorized Veterinary Officer. If the animal is found to be healthy and documents are in order, the animal shall be taken to the Jurong Animal Quarantine Station by a Quarantine officer.
Penalty
If any animal is not healthy or if any document is not in order or quarantine space is unavailable, the animal shall be returned to the country of export, detained for two weeks for observation prior to quarantine or destroyed at the discretion of the Director-General of Agri-food and Veterinary Services. In addition, the owner or his agent is subject to prosecution.
Other Requirements
Owners should take into the age of their animals as well as travel and climatic stress when deciding to export their dogs/cats to Singapore.Owners of any dog above 3 months of age must apply for a license to keep the dog in Singapore.
Any expenditure incurred in the process of importation shall be borne by the owner or agent. Any loss occasioned during the removal, handling or treatment of an imported dog/cat under the directions of AVA or occurring during the period of detention in quarantine, shall be borne by the owner or agent.
Any microchip that is implanted into the dog must meet with ISO (international Standards Organisation) Standard 11784. If the dog is implanted with a microchip which does not comply with these stated ISO Standard, the owner of the dog or his authorized agent must provide a reader which is able to read the identification code of the implanted microchip at the point of entry into Singapore.
Important Information
The following breeds of dogs and their crosses are NOT allowed to be imported into Singapore
– Pit Bull (which includes the American Pit Bull Terrier also known as the American Pit Bull and Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Bulldog, and crosses between them and with other breeds)
– Neapolitan Mastiff,
– Tosa
– Akita
– Dogo Argentino
– Boerboel
– Fila Brasileiro and their crosses
The following breeds of dogs need to be muzzled while in a public place
– Bull Mastiff,
– Bull Terrier
– Doberman
– German Shepard
– Belgian Shepard
– East European Shepard
– Rottweiler
Regulations are subject to change without notice notwithstanding the issuance of a permit by AVA
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE REFER TO: www.ava.gov.sg
CONSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Please contact the JVK office for consignment instructions.