Singapore Customs Guide: Prohibited Items, Duties & Tax Exemption

When shipping by sea from China to Singapore, it is important to note that Singapore's customs quarantine is very strict. If prohibited items are found, you may face heavy fines or even prosecution.

Singapore Customs

Below is a guide to Singapore customs prohibited items and tariffs, summarized by Seapoe based on the relevant regulations of Singapore Customs and combined with our company's years of experience in carrying personal belongings.

Items Prohibited from Entering Singapore by Singapore Customs

Seapoe recommends not shipping the following items to Singapore: liquids, powders, food, medicines, and products with built-in batteries.

For the complete list of prohibited items, please click here to refer to the official information of Singapore Customs.

Singapore Customs Guide to Customs Clearance for Personal Belongings

Shipping used personal belongings for personal use to Singapore by sea will incur Goods and Services Tax (GST). According to the relevant regulations of Singapore Customs, eligible individuals may import personal belongings such as furniture, tableware, books, and artworks free of GST. Below is the detailed tax relief information:

Statuses and Circumstances Eligible for Goods and Services Tax (GST) Relief

Singapore residents or permanent residents (PRs) living overseas returning to Singapore to reside
Foreigners relocating or immigrating to Singapore

Specific Conditions for Goods and Services Tax (GST) Relief:

The relevant person must meet the following:
- He is changing his place of residence to Singapore;
- He is the owner of the relevant personal belongings;
- The items have been owned and used for at least 3 months;
- The items are imported by air or sea.
The relevant personal belongings are imported within 6 months after first arrival in Singapore.
A commitment is required not to dispose of the relevant items within 3 months from the date of import.

For Singaporean residents/permanent residents moving back to Singapore, they must have lived abroad for more than 6 months to obtain tariff relief.

For individuals who do not meet the conditions for duty-free personal belongings, taxes are usually paid according to the import tax rates stipulated by Singapore Customs.

Items Not Eligible for Tariff Relief

All alcohol, tobacco products, automobiles, private aircraft, boats, yachts, and any commercial goods will in any case incur the relevant consumption taxes and tariffs (if applicable).