Customs

When moving through customs at Changi airport you will find two channels – Red and Green – where you must declare controlled or dutiable goods. If you have prohibited, controlled or dutiable goods and goods exceeding your duty/GST-free concession, you should seek Customs clearance at the Red Channel. If in doubt, always enquire. If you don’t have any prohibited, controlled or dutiable goods and goods exceeding your duty/GST-free concession, you may leave the Arrival Hall through the Green Channel.

Dutiable goods

– Intoxicating liquors, including wine, beer, ale, stout and porter.
– Tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars.

Goods and Services tax (GST)

There is a 4% Goods and Services Tax levied on all goods imported into Singapore.

Excess goods

If you have goods exceeding your Duty-free/GST-Relief concessions, the excess items are allowed to be brought in only on payment of duties and GST.

If you are a transit passenger, the excess items may be kept in the Customs Bond pending your departure through either Terminal 1 or 2 of Changi 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.
– Firecrackers.
– Obscene articles, publications, video tapes/discs and software.
– Reproductions of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or cassettes.
– Seditious and treasonable materials.

Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Ilicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotrophic substances is strictly prohibited.

Currency

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

Duty free concessions

A bona-fide traveler, other than a traveler below 18 years of age, or arriving from Malaysia, who has spent not less than 48 hours outside Singapore immediately before his arrival, will be granted the following duty-free concessions:
– 1 litre spirits (brandy, whisky, gin, vodka, rum etc...).
– 1 litre wine.
– 1 litre beer or stout or ale or porter.

GST relief

Visitors to Singapore can get a refund on the 4 per cent GST if you buy more than $300 of goods. All you have to do is shop where a Global Refund Tax Free Shopping sign is displayed and ask the salesperson for a Global Refund Shopping Cheque when you buy something.

Accumulate $300-worth of the cheques then go and visit the GST Refund Inspection Counter after airport immigration as you leave. They'll validate your cheques and you can then head over to the Global Refund counter where they’ll either give you cash or Changi airport vouchers – whichever you prefer. If you take the vouchers, you’ll get an extra 10 per cent value on top of the amount owed you.