Prohibited / Controlled / Dutiable Goods
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The following sections below provides an overview of Prohibited, Controlled and Dutiable Goods. Do note the list below is not exhaustive. For more information, please visit the websites of the respective competent authorities.
The importation or possession of prohibited items is not allowed. The following table contains a non-exhaustive list of prohibited items and the websites for the appropriate competent authority:
| Item | Competent Authority |
|---|---|
| Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products | National Parks Board |
| Concealed Weapon Flick Knife, Gravity Knife, Wasp Knife, Throwing Knife Knuckleduster, Ninja Star, Catapult/Slingshot |
Licensing Division Singapore Police Force |
| Obscene articles, publications and video tapes/discs Reproduction of copyright publications, software, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or cassettes Seditious and treasonable materials |
Infocomm Media Development Authority |
| Any product containing nicotine or tobacco that may be used topically for application, by implant or injected into any parts of the body Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances Chewing Tobacco and imitation tobacco products (e.g. electronic cigarettes) Nasal snuff, Oral snuff, Gutkha, Khaini, Zarda |
Health Sciences Authority |
You need an import licence or authorisation from the relevant authority to bring controlled goods into Singapore. The following table contains a non-exhaustive list of controlled items that may be permitted and the website for the appropriate competent authority if you need more details.
| Item | Competent Authority |
|---|---|
| Animals, birds and their by-products Endangered species of wildlife Ornamental fish Plants | National Parks Board |
| Fish and seafood products Fruit and vegetables Meat and meat products | Singapore Food Agency |
| Arms and explosives Bulletproof clothing Toy guns, pistols and revolvers Weapons, kris, spears and swords | Licensing Division Singapore Police Force |
| CD-ROMs and video games Films, videotapes, videodiscs and laser discs Newspapers, books and magazines Pre-recorded cartridges and cassettes Telecommunication and radio communication equipment Toy walkie-talkies | Infocomm Media Development Authority |
| Medicines Pharmaceuticals Poisons | Health Sciences Authority |
| Dangerous Cargo | Singapore Customs |
| Ionising Radiation (IR) irradiating apparatus & Radioactive material (e.g. x-ray equipment) Non-Ionising Radiation (IR) irradiating apparatus (e.g. ultraviolet sunlamps) | National Environment Agency |
At Customs clearance, please take the Red Channel, where you must produce the import licence or authorisation from the relevant competent authority. If you do not have the import licence or authorisation, an ICA officer will retain the item and refer it to the relevant authority for approval. You will be given a warehouse deposit receipt to claim your item after the relevant authority has issued approval to bring it into Singapore.
If you need to take medication that is only available through prescription in Singapore – especially sleeping pills, antidepressants and stimulants – please carry a doctor’s prescription, which will confirm that you need the medication. There are severe penalties for illegal possession of such medicines.
All dutiable goods imported into or manufactured in Singapore are subject to customs duty and/or excise duty. Visit the Singapore Customs website for more information.