As the mid-year school holiday approaches, traffic flow through the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas is expected to be heavy from Friday, 31 May 2019 till Sunday, 30 June 2019. Traffic is expected to be particularly heavy on the eve and actual day of Hari Raya Puasa, as well as on weekends throughout the school holiday period. Travellers using the land checkpoints during these periods can expect delays and are advised to adjust their travel plans where necessary.

Travellers Have a Part to Play

2. Security at our checkpoints remains the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)'s top priority against any potential threats to Singapore. With security checks, traffic build-up is inevitable, especially when large number of travellers use the checkpoints at the same time. Travellers are advised to plan ahead and be prepared to adjust their travel plans if necessary.

3. Travellers are reminded not to bring in prohibited items such as firecrackers, "Pop-Pop" or chewing gum. If travellers are carrying dutiable or controlled items such as eggs, meat products and potted plants, they should proactively make declarations to our officers prior to checks.

4. Travellers are also reminded to check and ensure that they are using their own passports with a remaining validity of six months or more before setting off on their journey. There have been instances of Singaporeans presenting wrong passports or passports which have been reported lost for immigration clearance. Such cases will lead to delays and cause inconvenience to the passport holders and other checkpoints users. These passports can no longer be used for travelling even if they are found subsequently. These passports will be cancelled by ICA, and any attempt to use them is an offence under the Passports Act and may be punished by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.  Passports that have been recovered must be surrendered to ICA within 14 days. Failure to surrender the recovered passport is an offence under the Passports Regulations and may be punished by a fine of up to $3,000 or imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both.

Traffic Information

5. ICA has observed many instances of queue-cutting at both land checkpoints during peak periods. We advise against this as it can cause severe congestion and compromise motorists' safety. Motorists are reminded to observe traffic rules, maintain lane discipline at all times and cooperate with checkpoint officers to ensure a safe environment at the checkpoints.

6. Before embarking on their journey, motorists are advised to check the prevailing traffic situation at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints through the One Motoring website or via the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) installed along the BKE and AYE respectively. Motorists can also check the ICA’s Facebook page for updates on the traffic situation at both land checkpoints.

Clearance Efficiency Without Compromising Security

7. The ICA will continue to take necessary measures to improve clearance efficiency as much as possible without compromising security. Our checkpoint officers will continue to monitor arrival and departure traffic conditions and ensure optimal deployment of resources to handle peak-hour traffic. The ICA will also continue to work with the Traffic Police to ensure road discipline at the critical junctions leading to the land checkpoints. We seek travellers' understanding and cooperation when using the land checkpoints during the peak periods.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
27 MAY 2019