Any business importing, exporting, or transhipping goods through Singapore needs to register with Singapore Customs and obtain the relevant permits before goods move — this sits alongside, and is separate from, any product-specific licence (e.g. food, liquor, tobacco) your goods may also require.
Step 1: Activate Your Customs Account
Before any permit application, your entity needs an active Customs Account, linked to your ACRA-issued UEN:
- Only Key Personnel (owner, partner, or director) registered with ACRA can activate the account, via CorpPass
- No fee is charged for activation
- Outcome is notified within 4 working hours if no supporting documents are needed, or 3 working days if documents are required
- You'll need to designate an Authorised Personnel responsible for managing the account and permit declarations
Step 2: Choose How You'll Apply for Permits
Once activated, you have two options:
- Appoint a Declaring Agent (e.g. a freight forwarder) to apply for permits on your behalf, or
- Apply yourself — register as a Declaring Agent, obtain a TradeNet User ID, and have your staff pass the Customs competency test for declarants
All permit applications are submitted electronically through TradeNet, Singapore's national trade declaration system.
Permits and Fees
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Import permit application | ~S$3.19 |
| Export permit + Certificate of Origin | ~S$9.27 |
These are Singapore Customs' own system fees for self-submitted applications and don't include any service fees a freight forwarder or declaring agent may charge on top.
Controlled goods (certain foods, chemicals, medicines, strategic goods, etc.) need approval from the relevant Competent Authority (CA) before or alongside the TradeNet permit — check status via the HS/CA Product Code Checker.
A permit isn't required in every case, but the exemptions are narrow and channel-specific — value alone doesn't exempt ordinary commercial cargo:
- Goods sent by post or courier, non-dutiable and non-controlled, with CIF value not exceeding S$400
- Bona fide trade samples, specimens, or gifts (excluding liquor and tobacco) with total value not exceeding S$400, regardless of shipping method
Standard commercial shipments by sea or air — even low-value ones — generally still need a permit; the CIF threshold doesn't apply on its own to ordinary cargo.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Importers and exporters can be penalised under the Customs Act and the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act for failing to declare goods correctly or hold the right permit. Minor offences may be compounded up to S$5,000 per offence; serious or fraudulent cases may be prosecuted, which can mean higher fines or imprisonment depending on severity.
Need help registering with Singapore Customs or applying for trade permits?
We help activate your Customs Account, advise on whether your goods need CA approval or qualify for a permit exemption, and coordinate permit applications through TradeNet — either directly or by liaising with your appointed declaring agent — so your shipments aren't delayed by missing registrations or permits.