Import Regulations are restrictions placed by countries on the sale of goods from outside markets. Among the reasons they are imposed are to protect health, conserve foreign exchange, serve as economic reprisals, protect home industry, and provide revenue from tariffs. Exporters to markets under such regulations may have to go through various steps to comply with them.
In Singapore goods under the purview of Import Regulations can be classified as: Dutiable, Controlled & Prohibited Goods. According to Singapore laws, certain types of goods are subject to payment of duty before they can be brought into the country.
Dutiable Goods
Dutiable goods can be categorized into four different types:
- Intoxicating liquors, including spirits, wine, beer, ale and stout
- Tobacco, including cigarettes and cigars
- Motor spirit
- Motor cars and motorcycles/motor scooters.
Controlled Goods
- For Certain goods, import permit or authorization is required.
Prohibited Goods
The following items are prohibited from being imported into Singapore:
- Chewing gum (except dental or nicotine gum)
- Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products
- Cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape
- Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
- Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products
- Firecrackers
- Obscene articles, publications, video tapes/discs and software
- Reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or
- Cassettes
- Seditious and treasonable materials
