WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
1 December 2000
(00-5204)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
SINGAPORE
The following notification, dated 13 October 2000, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of Singapore.
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Outline of system
1. Singapore’s policy is to keep import licensing to a minimum. Import licensing procedures are
maintained to fulfil Singapore's obligations under in ternational agreements or to ensure that health,
safety, environment and national security objectives are met.
Purposes and coverage of licensing
2. Products subject to automatic and non-automatic import licensing are listed in Tables 1 and 2
respectively.
Table 1: Products Subject to Automatic Import Licensing
Product Laws and Regulations
Authorizing Import
LicensingControlling Agency
• Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and
plant products
• Live animals, live birds, products
of live animals/birds and
veterinary biologics/vaccines
• Ornamental fish
• Meat, fish and meat/fish products• Control of Plants Act
• Animals and Birds Act
• Fisheries Act
• Wholesome Meat and
Fish ActAgri-Food and
Veterinary Authority,
Ministry of National
Development
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
Page 2
Product Laws and Regulations
Authorizing Import
LicensingControlling Agency
• Animal feed, milk powder –
skimmed (coloured for animal
feed)
• Veterinary medicaments• Animals and Birds Act
and Feeding Stuffs Act
• Medicines Act (Part II)
• Films, video tapes and video discs
• Publications, gramophone records,
paintings and prints• Films Act and its
Regulations
• Undesirable Publications
ActFilms and
Publications
Department, Ministry
of Information and the
Arts
• Cellulose nitrates
• Machetes and axes
• Handcuffs
• Christmas crackers
• Articles of clothing intended as
protection against attack,
including bullet-proof vests
• Steel helmets
• Toy guns, including pistols and
revolvers• Arms and Explosives
Act
• Corrosive and
Explosives Substances
and Offensives Weapons
Act
• Regulation of Imports
and Exports Regulations
(for this list of products)Arms and Explosives
Branch, Singapore
Police Force, Ministryof Home Affairs
Arms and Explosives
Branch, Singapore
Police Force, Ministry
of Home Affairs
• Amusement machines, coin- or
disc-operated, including pin-
tables, shooting galleries and
cinematography machines• Regulation of Imports
and Exports RegulationsLicensing Division,
Singapore Police
Force, Ministry ofHome Affairs
• Mastering equipment and
replication equipment for any of
the following:
- CD (compact disc);
- CD-ROM (compact disc-read only
memory);
- VCD (video compact disc);
- DVD (digital video disc); and• Regulation of Imports
and Exports RegulationsTrade Development
BoardG/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
Page 3
Product Laws and Regulations
Authorizing Import
LicensingControlling Agency
• DVD-ROM (digital video disc-
read only memoryTrade Development
Board
Table 2: Products Subject to Non-Automatic Import Licensing
Product Laws/Regulations Controlling Agency
• Artificial sweetening agents, food
containing artificial sweetening
agent(s) and irradiated food• Food Regulations Food Control
Department, Ministryof the Environment
• Specific plants, plant products and
other materials (insects, micro-
organisms and soil
• Endangered species of wild fauna
and flora (CITES products)• Control of Plants Act
• Endangered Species
(Import and Export) Act
1989Agri-food and
Veterinary Authority,
Ministry of NationalDevelopment
• Fruit or jackpot machines • Private Lotteries Act Commissioner of
Estate Duties, Inland
Revenue Authority,
Ministry of Finance
• Hazardous substances • Environmental Pollution
Control Act 1999Pollution Control
Department, Ministry
of the Environment
• Radioactive materials and
irradiating apparatus• Radiation Protection Act
(Chapter 262) and itsRegulationsRadiation Protection
Inspectorate, Institute
of Science and
Forensic Medicine,
Ministry of Health
• Medicines
• Chinese proprietary medicines
• Category 1 cosmetic products
• Poisons/drugs• Medicines Act and
related regulations and
orders for medicines,
Chinese proprietary
medicines and Category1 cosmetic products
• Poisons Act and the
Misuse of Drugs Act for
poisons/drugsNational
Pharmaceutical
Administration,
Ministry of HealthG/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
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• Controlled telecommunication
equipment• Telecommunication
(Dealer’s) RegulationsInfocomm
Development
Authority,
Ministry of
Communications andInformation
Technology
• Scheduled chemicals under the
Chemical Weapons Convention
(CWC)• Chemical Weapons
(Prohibition) ActNational Authority
(CWC)
• Rice • Price Control (Rice)
OrderTrade Development
Board, Ministry ofTrade and Industry
• Poppy seeds (kaskas)
• Controlled equipment, materials
or substances used for the
manufacturing of controlled drugs• Regulation of Imports
and Exports Regulations
• Misuse of Drugs
RegulationsCentral Narcotics
Bureau, Ministry of
Home Affairs
• Arms and explosives • Arms and Explosives Act Arms and Explosives
Branch, Singapore
Police Force, Ministry
of Home Affairs
• Merchandise/product containing a
photograph, drawing or design
resembling or used in/on
Singapore currency notes and
coins• Currency Act (Cap 69) Board of
Commissioners of
Currency, Ministry of
Finance
Ozone depleting substances (may be
imported only if they are to be re-exported)
• Halon 1211 and fire extinguishers
using halon 1211
• Halon 1301 and fire protection
systems using Halon 1301
• Halon 2402
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• 1,1,1-trichloroethane (Methyl
Chloroform)• Regulation of Imports
and Exports RegulationsTrade Development
Board, Ministry ofTrade & IndustryG/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
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• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 11,
12, 113, 114, 115 as a refrigerant
in new air-conditioning and
refrigeration equipment except for
automotive air-conditioners in
vehicles registered before 1 Jan 95and domestic refrigerators
• Other CFCs (e.g. CFCs 13, 111,
112, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216,
217)Trade Development
Board, Ministry of
Trade & Industry
3. The system applies to products listed in Tables 1 and 2 above originating in and coming fromall countries.
For ozone-depleting substances, import licences are granted only for products originating in
countries which are signatories to the Montreal Protocol.
4. Singapore's import licensing procedures are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of
imports. They are maintained for the purpose of discharging Singapore's obligations under
international agreements or for health, safety, environmental and national security reasons.
5. The laws, regulations and/ or administrative orders under which the licensing procedures are
maintained are listed in Tables 1 and 2 above. All import licensing procedures are statutorily required
and published in government gazettes.
While the administration of the licensing system is undertaken by the various licensing
authorities for different products, the designation of products to be subjected to licensing is not left toadministrative discretion. The latter requires legislative approval. Similarly, legislative approval must
be obtained before the government abolishes the licensing system.
Procedures
6. Under the Chemical Weapons Convention (C WC), Singapore is required to limit the
aggregate amount of Schedule 1 chemi cals it produces, acquires, retains, transfers or uses to one tonne
per annum.
To meet emergency requirements, Singapore maintains a stockpile scheme for rice, a staple
food of which there is no domestic production.  A special import licensing system applies to rice
imported from all countries.  This system divides rice imports into 2 categories, requiring (i) a
stockpile licence; and (ii) an ordinary licence.  The stockpile licence is aimed at ensuring thatimporters stockpile the stipulated types and minimum quantities of rice in proportion to their total
imports to ensure a consistent and adequate supply for domestic consumption.  Licences for non-
stockpile grades of rice are issued automatically.
I. Information is published in notices issued by the Trade Development Board (TDB) of the
Ministry of Trade and Industry.  Copies of the notices are available at the TDB's office
premises and over the internet.
II. The aggregate amount of CWC Schedule 1 is applicable on an annual basis. There is no
maximum quota for the importation of rice.
III. Please refer to paragraph 6 above.G/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
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IV. Not applicable.
V. The processing time for licences falls within the period stipulated in Article 3.5(f) of the
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.
VI. Not applicable.VII. Applications for licences to import CWC Schedule 1 chemicals are approved by the National
Authority (CWC).  Rice licence applications are processed by the TDB.
VIII. Not applicable.IX. Not applicable.X. Not applicable.
XI. Not applicable.
7(a). The range of time taken for processing the various licence applications fall within the periods
stipulated in Article 2(a)(iii), for automatic  licensing, and Article 3.5(f), for non-automatic licensing,of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.
For artificial sweetening agents, food containing artificial sweetening agent(s) and irradiated
foods, it is preferable that import licence applications be submitted 1-2 months in advance, so as to
allow ample time for amendments/adjustments should the products not meet the stipulated labelling
requirements.
(b) Generally import licences may be granted immediately upon request when applications are
submitted in appropriate and complete forms.  For arms and explosives, radioactive materials and
irradiating apparatus, import licences can be immediately granted if the importer already has a dealer's
licence. An importer of poisons who does not have a licence will have to store the hazardous
substances in the port area temporarily, pending the approval for an import licence.
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which applications for licence
and/or importation may be made.
(d) Consideration of a licence application is effected by a single administrative organ as specified
in the respective legislation, cited in response to Question 5. The importer does not have to approachmore than one administrative body.
8. An application for an import licence is usually granted if it meets the stipulated criteria.
Licensing authorities will generally provide the reason(s) in the event of a refusal to issue a licence.
Avenues for appeal exist in most cases.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9(a) Not applicable.
(b) Generally, all persons, registered firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences.
Applicants for the importation of the following products must meet additional criteria:G/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
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i. for a licence to import, make, distribute or exhibit films and videos, an applicant must
be a private limited company of at least S$100,000 paid-up capital;
ii. for a licence to deal in or import arms and explosives, applicants must not have
criminal records or adverse security attention;
iii. for a licence to import large and wild animal s, the applicant must demonstrate to the
licensing authority i.e. the AVA that he/she is suitably equipped to house and care for
the animals;
iv. for a licence to import hazardous substances, it is preferable that an applicant be a
professional or a senior management staff, who has the necessary knowledge of howto safely handle the hazardous substances, and has passed an oral test conducted by
the licensing authority i.e. the Pollution Control Department of the Ministry of the
Environment. The oral test covers technical knowledge on the safe handling of the
hazardous substances and on the Environmental Pollution Control Act and its
Regulations;
v. for a licence to deal in controlled telecommunications equipment, applicants should
have knowledge of their products and IDA-type approval requirements in order to
advise and guide consumers;
vi. applicants for licences to import product containing poisons or controlled drugs must
be qualified persons, such as registered pharmacists;
vii. an applicant for a licence to deal in fish or fish products must be a fisherman, fish
farmer, fish dealer or be connected to fishing or the fishing industry;
viii. only certain institutions or organisations such as zoos, museums and research
institutions may apply for a licence to import certain CITES endangered species,
mainly species listed in CITES Appendix I;
ix. only licensed personnel with relevant qualification and experience may import
veterinary biologics.  Similarly, importers of hen eggs and livestock must be licensedby the AVA.  A key criterion for the issuance of the dealer’s licence for both
veterinary biologics, and hen eggs and livestock is the suitability of the facilities/
premises;
x. applicants for licences to import Category 1 cosmetics products must be registered
with the Registry of Companies and Businesses;
xi. only companies registered in Singapore are eligible to apply for licences to import
ozone-depleting substances.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. Information on import procedures and applications is available over the Internet. The
following information is required in applications fo r import licences: particulars of importer, company
registration certificate issued by the Singapore Registry of Companies, product description, productquantity, mode of transport, port of shipment/ transport, product brand/serial number/ model/ make
and country of origin.  Additional requirements in applications to import the following products
include:G/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
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i. for applications to import hazardous substances,  documents to show that the
applicant has approved storage and handling facilities to handle hazardous substances
safely; a layout plan to show areas for storing hazardous substances; and an
emergency action plan to indicate how a chemical release from the storage area will
be contained, detoxified and cleaned up;
ii. for applications to import artificial sweetening agents, a statement issued by the
importer indicating the intended usage and the name and address of the users. If
artificial sweetening agents are to be used in food products, low calorie food and
sugar-free food are the only food products where artificial sweetening agents can be
used;
iii. for applications to import food containing artificial sweetening agent(s), product
labels and documents to justify the use of the artificial sweetening agent(s) in theproduct. Low calorie food and sugar-free food are the only food products where
artificial sweetening agents can be used. The product label must bear a label with the
following words:  ‘This (here state the name of the food) contains the artificial
sweetening agent, (here state the name of the artificial sweetening agent)’;
iv. for applications to import irradiated food, certification that the ionizing radiation has
been conducted in accordance with the Codex Recommended International Code of
Practice for the Operation of Radiation Facilities Used for Treatment of Foods, and
that such irradiated food meets the Codex General Standards for Irradiated Foods.
The irradiated food must also bear a label with the following words (of not less than
3mm height), 'TREATED WITH IONIZING IRRADIATION’ or ‘IRRADIATED(here insert the name of the food)’;
v. for applications to deal in rice, telecommunication equipment, arms and explosives,
documents on the technical specifications of the products.  In addition, applicants for
licences to deal in arms and explosives must ensure the following:
- Commercial and Industrial Security Cooperation (CISCO) Constable(s) are
engaged to escort the transportation of goods;
- all pyrotechnics are to be stored at wharves designated by the Port of Singapore
Authority (PSA);
vi. for applications to import CITES products, the CITES export or re-export licence
issued by the CITES Management Authority of the exporting or re-exporting country;
vii. for applications to import merchandise/product containing a photograph, drawing or
design or part thereof used in or on any Singapore currency note or coin, visuals or
samples of the merchandise/product;
viii. for medicines, poisons and drugs, clinical data, manufacturing quality control
procedures and Free Sale Certificates, to ascertain the safety, efficacy and quality ofthe products;
ix. for Chinese proprietary medicines, test results of toxic heavy metals, microbial
contamination and a declaration of the absence of poisons (as defined in the Poisons
Act) for every consignment, within 2 months of import, in order to ascertain product
safety and quality;
x. for plant and plant products, import licences are valid for 3 months and for one
consignment only; phytosanitary certificates or similar official statement issued notG/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
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more than 14 days prior to date of shipment of consignment by a competent
government agency or agricultural authority. Imports of plant and plant produce are
also subject to plant quarantine inspection requirements;
xi. for ozone-depleting substances, bills of lading and invoices to verify the country of
origin, and a Certificate of Analysis stating the types of ozone-depleting substancesbeing imported.
11. Upon actual importation, importers are required to make an Inward Declaration showing the
correct description and quantities of each consignment made electronically through the TradeNet
system.  Shipping documents such as the Bill of  Lading/ Airway Bill and invoice are also required.
Additional requirements for the importation of certain products include:
(i) for publications, the language of the publications has to be specified;
(ii) for arms and explosives, imports must be produced for inspection at the Arms and Explosives
Branch immediately after customs clearance;
(iii) for meat and meat products, imports should be shipped directly and must be derived from
sources approved by the licensing authority i.e. the AVA.  They must be accompanied by a
veterinary health certificate issued by the approved sources in the exporting country and
inspected upon importation;
(iv) for live animals/birds, products of live animals/birds and veterinary biologics, importers are
required to show the import licences issued by  the AVA together with the veterinary health
certificate from sources in the exporting country approved by the AVA;
(v) for fresh fruit and vegetables, each consignment must:
- be subject to inspection and sampling upon importation;
- meet the sanitary standards prescribed under Rule 9 of the Control of Plants (Import and
Transhipment of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables) Rules 1999; and
- be in containers which, at the time of importation, must bear the name and address of
the producer.
(vi) for selected fish or fish products, additional product quality and quarantine requirements
apply.  All ornamental fish imported must be healthy and free from any clinical signs ofdisease at the time of import;
(vii) in addition to the requirements set out in (iii) to (vi) above, the date and time of arrival of
each consignment must be indicated.
12. Licensing fees are required for the following classes of licences:
(i) Product Licences
- a licence fee of S$18 per consignment of plants and plants products. Other fees for and
incidental to any inspection or examination activities are also specified under the Control
of Plants (Plant Importation) Rules;
- a licence fee of S$4.20 per 100 kilogrammes applies for chilled, frozen meat and
processed meat, and S$77 per consignment of meat packed in cans;G/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
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- a licence fee of S$3 per consignment applies for fish and fish products as well as fresh
fruits and vegetables;
- a licence fee of S$170 per consignment of live animals imported for commercial
purposes; S$55 per consignment of live birds and eggs imported for commercialpurposes; S$50 per permit for pet animals/birds; and S$18 per permit for veterinary
biologics.  The import licences for the above products are valid for 30 days; extension
may be granted with valid reason given by the importers;
- a licence fee of S$12 per scheduled CITES endangered species or parts/derivatives,
subject to a minimum amount of S$60 per consignment, depending on the species.  For
elephant tusks, the fees are S$1 per kg or part thereof, subject to a minimum of S$60 perconsignment. Each licence is valid for 3 months and may be extended for another 3
months;
- a licence fee of S$30 per consignment applies to radioactive materials and irradiating
apparatus;
- a licence fee of S$16 per consignment applies to arms and explosives;
- a licence fee of S$60 per consignment of controlled drugs;
- a 3-year licence fee of $100 for Western drugs;
- a licence fee of $60 per consignment of Western drugs in the case of parallel imports;
- a licence fee of $35 for Category 1 cosmetic products;
- an annual licence fee of $800 for cosmetics.
(ii) Dealers’ Licences
- an annual licence fee of S$378 for fresh fruit and vegetables;
- a 2-year licence fee ranging from S$300 - S$3,700 for arms and explosives;
- an annual licence fee of S$84 for meat and fish products;
- an annual licence fee of S$350 for ornamental fish;
- an annual licence fee of S$33 for veterinary biologics;
- an annual licence fee at S$250 or a biennial licence at S$500 for hazardous substances;
- an annual licence fee of S$15 for rice;
- an annual licence fee of S$150 for operations of fruit/jackpot machines, renewable at
S$30 per annum;
- a 5-year licence fee of S$50 for dealing in IDA type approved and generally approved
equipment, and an annual licence fee of S$400 for dealing in other types of
telecommunication equipment;G/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
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- a biennial licence fee of S$1,500 and a banker's guarantee of S$20,000 per licence to
import, make, distribute or exhibit films and videos;
- a banker’s guarantee of S$200, 000 for publishers to circulate offshore newspapers in
Singapore;
- fees for 5-year and 3-year licences for medicines are S$540 and S$360 respectively; the
fee for a 3-year licence for Category 1 cosmetics is S$2,400 and fees for a 3-year and 1-
year licence for Chinese proprietary medicines are S$1,000 and S$365 respectively; fees
for preparations containing medicinal poisons is $360;
- an annual licence fee of S$105 for licence to import artificial sweetening agent and food
containing artificial sweetening agents, and annual fee of $95 to import irradiated foods;
- an annual licence fee of S$180 to manufacture, possess for sale or deal in irradiating
apparatus or radioactive materials; an annual fee of S$ 130 to keep or possess radioactive
materials or irradiating apparatus other than for sale; an annual fee of S$120 to useradioactive materials or irradiating apparatus; and an annual fee of S$130 to handle and
transport radioactive materials;
- an annual licence fee of S$240 for the importation of ozone-depleting substances.
13. There are no deposit or advance payment requirements associated with the issue of licences.
Conditions of licensing
14. The period of the validity of a dealer’s licence is as specified in response to Question 12
above.  The approved product licences cease to be valid once the importation of the concerned
products is effected.
The validity of these licences may be extended by renewal.
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of licence or a portion of it.
16. Licences are not transferable between importers.
17(a) Not applicable.(b) In addition to the requirements listed in re sponse to Questions 10 and 11 above, the following
conditions are applicable:
i. applicants dealing in ornamental fish must  have government approved premises with
facilities for holding, quarantining, and packing of ornamental fish;
ii. applicants dealing in fruit/ jackpot machines must ensure that these machines are to
be used in licensed clubs;
iii. applications to deal in radioactive materials and irradiating apparatus are subject to
the following conditions:
- the company must possess a licence to handle and transport radioactive materials
if it undertakes its own transportation. In addition, the importer must ensure thatthe vehicle transporting radioactive materials displays a proper placard showing
the radiation sign and that it is not left unattended;G/LIC/N/3/SGP/3
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- the importer, if he is an end-user, must possess a licence that specifies the type
and quantity of radioactive materials that may be possessed, and another licence
for the use, handling and transport of radioactive materials;
- if the importer is the end-user of irradiating apparatus, the company must have a
licence for each machine it possesses.
Other procedural requirements
18. No.
19. Not applicable.
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