Freightworks has compiled this information sheet to help you to understand what happens when moving to Singapore, and to inform you of procedures once your shipment arrives at the destination port. Please try and take time to read it, and if you need further advice or information, please call us or our agent in Singapore- we are all available to help you.

This information is provided without obligation and at the individual’s risk. We accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy of whatever nature.

• On Arrival in Singapore
• Customs Regulations
• Customs Clearance

Our computer system will automatically generate a shipping advice email which will be sent to the email address you supply us with, giving you the name of the vessel your shipment is on, the arrival date into the port, the destination agent and other important details. This notification is usually sent a week after the vessel sails.

Our destination agent will contact you before the vessel arrives regarding clearance formalities and to obtain further information from you regarding the access at your delivery point.

When the vessel arrives at Singapore, our agent will arrange for it to be hauled to their Customs bonded warehouse for unloading. Customs clearance will take place there, which normally takes approximately 3-5 days. This time frame can vary during the year. Deliveries usually take place within 3-5 days after clearance. Our agent will contact you to make arrangements for a suitable delivery date.

It is your own responsibility to ensure that you are aware of how current Customs regulations and your own personal circumstances affect the status of your shipment with regard to whether or not you will be liable to pay any duty or taxes on your shipment or certain items in it. Shipments can be cleared without employment pass if the owner is willing to pay GST. If a formal Customs entry has to be made, a fee may be charged for this. If you have dutiable goods in your shipment, you may be asked by Customs to supply documentary evidence (sales receipts, invoices, insurance papers, etc.) to ascertain your ownership of the goods, period of ownership, and their value.

The importation of firearms (including air-rifles and guns), dangerous weapons, imitation firearms, fireworks, explosives, narcotics, drugs, pornographic or obscene material and radio transmitters is prohibited. All swords and knives including ornamental ones require an Import Permit, which needs to be obtained prior to shipping. All video tapes, laser discs and video discs (visual) are subject to screening from the authorities prior to release. Please note that all gas bottles for diving tanks, gas stoves and barbeques etc must be free of gas. Garden implements, outdoor furniture, golf clubs, tents, camping equipment, barbeques, shoes, bicycles, buggies/prams need to be cleaned thoroughly and be free of dirt, soil, grass, food etc. All dangerous goods are prohibited by sea and air shipments.

Your shipment must be cleared through Customs before you can take delivery. The owner of the goods doesn’t need to be in Singapore to clear the goods only if all the paperwork is completed in advance with a copy of the passport. In order to clear the shipment you will have to complete a packing list or inventory. If your shipment is an owner-packed shipment, we will supply you with a packing list form on which you list the goods in your shipment. If your shipment is a household relocation including professional packing, our packers will make an inventory for you at the time of the relocation. You will also need to provide a copy of your passport photo page and visa page if applicable.

We will then forward it these documents to our agent in Singapore in advance of the vessel arriving at the port.

Our agent in Singapore will send you some documents which you need to complete for your goods to clear Customs. These first of these documents is the form titled ‘Declaration of Dutiable, Restricted and Prohibited Imports.’ On this form, you will be required to declare the value of your shipment for Customs purposes; whether you have any restricted or prohibited goods in your shipment, and if you have any dutiable goods such as alcohol or tobacco.

The Declaration of Facts form has an attachment sheet, on which you must list any alcohol or tobacco in your shipment. You will need to include the percentage of alcohol content in the liquor. A fine can be levied if Customs discover non-declared alcohol in your shipment.

We hope that you have found the information on this sheet useful. Please do not hesitate to call us if you require further information or advice on any aspect of your shipment, or if you would like full details of our Singapore agent.

All information on this sheet is given for guidance only, and although we believe it to be correct at the time of writing, we do not accept any liability for errors, omissions, inaccuracies or misinterpretation. All charges, regulations and procedures are liable to change without notice.