G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
26 November  2018 
(18-7415) Page: 1/12 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
  REPLIES TO QUESTIONN AIRE ON IMPORT LICEN SING PROCEDURES1 
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 7.3 OF  
THE AGREEMENT ON IMP ORT LICENSING PROCED URES  (2018) 
SINGAPORE  
The following communication, dated 21 November  2018 is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Singapore . 
 
_______________  
 
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 international agreements or to ensure that health, 
safety, environment and national security objectives are met .   
 
Purpose 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  Licensing  Controlling 
Agency  
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);  
• DVD-ROM (digital video disc -read 
only memory)  Regulation of Impor ts and 
Exports Regulation s Singapore Customs 
(SC) 
Films, video tapes and video games  Film Act and its Regulations  Info-
communications 
Media Development 
Authority (IMDA)  Publicati ons (includes books, magazines,  
sound recordings,  pictures or drawings,  
photographs)  Undesirable Publications Act  
 
 
  
                                                
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
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  Table 2:  Products subject to non -automatic import licensing  
Product  Laws/Regulations  Controlling 
Agency  
Endangered animals, species of wild fauna and 
flora (CITES live specimens, parts and products)  Endangered Species (Import and 
Export) Act  Agri-Food and 
Veterinary Authority 
(AVA)  
 Fish and fish products  Wholesome Meat and Fish Act  
Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and plant 
products  Control of Plants Act  
Live animals (including ornamental fish), live 
birds, products of animals/birds, shell eggs and 
veterinary biologics/vaccines, animal feed  • Animals and Birds Act  
• Feeding Stuffs Act  
 
Meat Wholesome Meat and Fish Act  
Processed Food  Sale of Food Act  
Specific plants,  plant products and other materials 
(insects, micro -organisms and soil)  Control of Plants (Plant 
Importation) Rules  
Veterinary medicaments (containing controlled 
substances such as Schedule Poison under the 
Poisons Act or Controlled Drugs under the Misuse 
of Drugs Regulations)  Medicines Act   
Essential Construction Materials (sand and 
granite)  Building and Construction 
Authority Act  Building and 
Construction 
Authority (BCA)  
Controlled materials or substances used for the 
manufacturing of controlled drugs  Misuse of Drugs Act  Central Narcotics 
Bureau (CNB)  
Poppy Seeds (kaskas)  Regulation of Imports and 
Exports Regulations  
Petroleum and Flammable Materials  • Fire Safety Act  
• Fire Safety (Petroleum and 
Flammable Materials) 
Regulations  Singapore Civil 
Defence Force 
(SCDF)  
Rough diamonds  Regulation of Imports and 
Exports (Kimberley Process) 
Regulations  Singapore Customs 
(SC) 
Scheduled chemicals under the Chemical 
Weapons Convention (CWC)  Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) 
Act and its Regulations  National Authority 
(Chemical Weapons 
Convention) 
(NA(CWC))  
Piped natural gas and liquefied natural gas  Gas Act  Energy Market 
Authority (EMA)  
Cell and tissue therapy products  Medicines Act and its Regulations  Health Sciences 
Authority (HSA)  Chinese proprietary medicines  Medicines Act and its Regulations  
Clinical research materials  Health Product (Therapeutic 
Products as Clinical Research 
Materials) Regulations  
Clinical research materials containing 
psychotropic substances  Health Product (Therapeutic 
Products as Clinical Research 
Materials) Regulations  
Medical Devices  Heath Products (Medical 
Devices) Regulations  
Pharmaceutical products (chemical and biologic 
drugs)  Health Product (Therapeutic 
Products) Regulations  
Substances regulated as controlled drugs (CD) 
under the Misuse of Drugs Act  Misuse of Drugs Regulations  
Substances specified in the Poisons Act including 
diagnostic kits and reference standards 
containing these substances  Poisons Act and its Rules  
Tobacco Products  Tobacco (Control of 
Advertisements and Sale s) Act 
and its Regulations  
Controlled telecommunication equipment  Telecommunications (Dealers) 
Regulations  Info-
communications 
Media Development 
Authority (IMDA)  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
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  Product  Laws/Regulations  Controlling 
Agency  
Rice Price Control (Rice) Order  Enterprise 
Singapore (ESG)  
Biological agents that are capable of causing 
death, disease or other biological malfunction in 
a human; certain microbial toxins  Biological Agents and Toxins Act  Ministry of Health 
(MOH)  
Merchandise or product containing:  
(a) any photograph of, or any drawing or 
design in any size, scale or colour, 
resembling; or  
(b) any design or part thereof used in or on,  
 
 any Singapore currency note or coin.  Currency Act  Monetary Authority 
of Singapore (MAS)  
Hazardous Substances  • Environment  Protection and 
Management Act  
• Environmental Protection 
and Management 
(Hazardous Substances) 
Regulations  National 
Environment 
Agency (NEA)  
Hazardous Waste  • Hazardous Waste (Control of 
Export, Import and Transit) 
Act 
Ozone depleting substances (ODS) and products 
containing ODS such as the following:  
• Fire extinguishers and fire protection 
systems using halons  
• Air-conditioning and refrigeration 
equipment using Chlorofluorocarbons 
(CFCs)  
• Vehicles with air -conditioning containing 
CFCs • Environment Protection a nd 
Management Act  
• Environmental Protection 
and Management (Ozone 
Depleting Substances) 
Regulations  
Radioactive materials, ionising radiation 
irradiating apparatus and non -ionising radiation 
irradiating apparatus  Radiation Protection Act and its 
Regulations  
Trichlorfon  • Environment Protection and 
Management Act  
• Environmental Protection 
and Management 
(Hazardous Substances) 
Regulations  
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)  
 
(effective from 1 Jan 2019)  Environment Protection and 
Management Act  
 
Certain mercury -added products  
 
(effective from 1 Jan 2020)  Environment Protection and 
Management Act  
 
• Arms, explosives and explosive 
precursors  
• Swords  
• Daggers  
• Bayonets  
• Spears  
• Spearheads  Arms and Explosives Act  Singapore Police 
Force (SPF)  
 
3.  The licensing system applies to products listed in Tables 1 and 2 above originating in and coming 
from all countries , except as follows:  
 
- For O zone Depleting Substances (ODS) , import licences are granted only for products  
originating from countries which are signatori es to the Montreal Protocol and the relevant 
Amendments.  Imports are prohibited from non -signatories, in accordance with the obligations 
under the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments.  
 
- The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme applies to rough diamond s originating in and 
coming from Kimberley Process Participants only. Please refer to 
http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/  for a list of Kimberley Process Participants.  
 G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
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  - The Basel Convention states that the i mport of Hazardous Waste can only be applied to countries 
that are signatories to the said Convention. Parties may, however, enter into bilateral or 
multilateral agreements on hazardous waste management  with other parties or with 
non-parties, provided that  such agreements are no less environmentally sound than the Basel 
Convention. The State of export shall notify, or shall require the generator or exporter to notify, 
in writing, through the channel of the competent authority of the State of export, the com petent 
authority of Singapore (NEA) of any proposed trans -boundary movement of hazardous wastes 
or other wastes prior to the actual movement of them.  
 
4.  Singapore's import licensing procedures are not intended to restrict th e 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.  As an  
example, the purpose of Kimberley Process licensing is to regulate  imports and exports of rough 
diamonds, aimed to stop the flow of trade in conflict rough diamonds.  
 
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 to the 
discretion of the administration.  The latter requires legislative approval. Similarly, legislative 
approval must be obtained before the government abolishes any licensing system.   
 
Procedures  
6.   
 
I. Information of products under restriction are published on their respective websites:  
 
• The list of schedule d chemicals under the Chemical Weapons Convention is available on the 
Customs Website  at https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/chemical -weapons -
convention/controlled -chemicals .   
• Information regarding r ice importation is available at https://rice.enterprisesg.gov.sg/ .  
• On importing Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), information can be found from the Ozone 
Secretariat and NEA websites at http://ozone.unep.o rg/en/  and  
http://www.nea.gov.sg/our -services/pollution -control/chemical -safety/multilateral -
environmental -agreement/ozone -depleting -substances .  
• For Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), details of Singapore’s LNG imports are available at: 
https://www.ema.gov.sg/ LNG_RFP.aspx .   
• Details of the import of Hazardous Waste are available at:  http://www.nea.gov.sg/our -
services/pollution -control/chemical -safety/multilateral -environment al-agreement/basel -
convention . 
  
II.   The respective quotas imposed on restricted goods are:  
 
• The maximum amount of CWC Schedule 1 chemicals that can be acquired is 1 tonne per 
annum .  
• There is no maximum quota for the importation of rice.  
• As part of the obligations under the Montreal Protocol, Singapore, as an Article -5 party to the 
Protocol, has capped  the consumption of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in 2013, and will 
gradually phase out the use and consumption of HCFCs by 2030.  The con trol measures of ODS 
under the Montreal Protocol requires Parties to gradually phase out the production and 
consumption of ODS. Under the phase out schedule, baselines, which limits the production 
and consumption of ODS substance, are set for the Parties t o comply.  
• On 30 June 2014, EMA launched a two -stage Request for Proposal (RFP) to appoint up to two 
LNG importers to supply the next tranche of LNG for Singapore. The RFP closed on 30  June 
2016. EMA has completed the evaluation and appointed Pavilion Gas P te Ltd (PGPL) and Shell 
Eastern Trading (Pte) Ltd (SETL) to be the second tranche LNG importers. They will each have 
exclusivity to market up to 1 Mtpa of LNG or for 3 years, whichever is earlier. The next tranche 
of LNG imports has commenced on 23 Oct ober 2017. This also marked the conclusion of the G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
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  first exclusive franchise awarded to BG Singapore Gas Marketing (now known as Shell Gas 
Marketing  Pte Ltd) which was subsequently acquired by Royal Dutch Shell.   
 
III. 
• To meet emergency requirements, Singapore maintains a stockpile scheme for rice, a staple 
food of which there is no domestic production.  An 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) non -stockpile licence.  All stockpile licensees are required to 
participate in the stockpile scheme. Under this scheme, each licensee shall keep a rice stockpile 
quantity which is derived from their import quantities.  
• For LNG imports, PGPL and SET L were appointed as the second tranche LNG importers after a 
two-stage selection process. The Gas Importer (LNG) Licences only allow PGPL and SETL to 
import LNG.  
• Singapore is a party to the Basel Convention on the control of trans -boundary movements of 
hazardous waste and their disposal. Under the Hazardous Waste (Control of Export, Import 
and Transit) Act and its Regulations, any person who wishes to export, import or transit 
hazardous wastes shall obtain a permit from NEA. NEA adopts the Prior Informed Co nsent 
(PIC) procedure of the Basel Convention in granting any permit for the export, import or transit 
of hazardous wastes.  
 
IV– VI.  Please refer to the weblinks provided  in (I) above.  
 
VII. Applications for licences to import CWC Schedule d chemicals are approved by the 
Director -General of Customs . Rice licence applications are processed by the IE Singapore.  
Applications for licences to import ODS products are approved by the National Environment 
Agency.  In all cases the importer does not have to approach more than one administrative 
organ . 
 
VIII. Licences for both CWC Schedule d chemicals  and ODS products are made on a  need to  basis. 
There is no maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and no unique provisions for new 
importers. Applica tions are examined on receipt.  Licence exemptions apply to the import of 
CWC Schedule 2 B (only to a member state of the Chemical Weapon Convention)  and 
3 chemical if it is a mixture containing less than the prescribed concentration of a prescribed 
Schedule  2 or Schedule 3 chemical.  For rice licences, please refer to paragraph 6 above.  
 
IX–X. Not applicable.  
 
XI.    Non approved and prohibited telecoms equipment . 
 
There are two categories of licences for dealing in telecom munication s equipment: 
Telecommunication Dealer’s ( Individual ) and Dealer’s ( Class) Licence s.  A Dealer  Class 
licensee can only deal with telecoms equipment that has been approved  / registered  by the 
Info-communications Med ia Development Authority (IMDA)  and equipment exempted f rom 
needing approval. Dealers issued with Dealer’s  Individual Licence can, in addition to 
equipment covered under the Class Licen ce, also deal in non -approved telecoms equipment.  
However, such non -approved telecoms equipment  (e.g. CDMA phones which are no t 
compatible with domestic networks and may cause interference) is not allowed to be sold for 
use in Singapore.  They can be exported or sold to tourists.   
  
In addition to non -approved  telecoms equipment , prohibited telecoms equipment  (e.g. 
radio-frequen cy jammers, military equipment) are also disallowed for local consumption, 
largely for security related reasons.  Neither the Class licensee nor the Individual licensee is 
allowed to deal in prohibited equipment unless prior approval is granted  by IMDA . 
 
7.  
(a) The range of time taken for processing the various licence applications fall within the periods 
stipulated in Article 2a(iii), for automatic licensing, and Article 3.5(f), for non -automatic 
licensing, of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.  
 
(b) License applications for Schedule d chemicals must be received by the National Authority 
(CWC), NA  (CWC) at least 14 working days prior to the import to meet the requirements under 
the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act (CWPA).   G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
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  In general,  most applications will be processed within 5 working days upon receipt of the 
completed application form and full set of supporting documents. Singapore Customs will 
assess and verify the application  based on criteria such as whether  the intended source of 
importing country and the intended de stined country for export are  KP Participant(s) before 
the KP licence is issued .  
 
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which applications for licence 
and/or importation may be made.  
 
(d) In orde r to import mastering equipment and replication equi pment for CD (compact disc); 
CD-ROM (compact disc -read only memory); DVD (digital video disc); and DVD -ROM (digital 
video disc -read only memory), interested parties must first apply for a Manufacturer Num ber 
from EDB, under the Manufacture of Optical Disc Act (MODA). Once issued with a Manufacturer 
Number, importers may then proceed to obtain a license to import these controlled equipment 
from Singapore Customs, based on the RIER.  
 
Consideration of other  licence application is effected by a single administrative organ as 
specified in the respective legislation, cited in response to Question 5 above.  The importer 
does not have to approach more 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 a licence  
9. All importers are eligible for application of licences, wheth er under the restrictive or non -restrictive 
licensing system.   
 
Generally, all persons, registered firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licenc es and no 
registration fee is necessary.  Applicants for the importation of the following products must meet 
additional criteria:  
 
(i) for a licence to manufacture, control, possess, store, deal in or import arms , 
explosives , and explosive precursors , applicants must not have criminal records or 
adverse security attention.  They must be above 21 years of age and have some 
basic knowledge in handling of arms , explosives , and explosive precursors ; 
 
(ii) for a licence to import hazardous substances , it is required for  an applicant  to be a 
professional or a senior management staff, who has the necessary knowledge of how 
to safely handle the hazardous substances, and has passed an examination for the 
module on "Manage Hazardous Substances” under the WSQ Speci alist Diploma in 
Occupational Hygiene” .  The module covers technical knowledge on the safe handling 
of the hazardous substances and on the Environmental Protection and Management 
Act and its Regulations;  
 
(iii) for a licence to deal in controlled telecommu nications equipment , applicants should 
have knowledge of their products and IMDA’s -equipment registration requirements 
in order to advise and guide consumers; applicant s for a licence must be a company 
incorporated under the Singapore Companies Act, a Limited Liability Partnership 
under the Singapore Limited Liability Partnerships Act, or a business registered with 
the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore;  
 
(iv) for a Form A Poisons Licence, appl icants are required to be qualified persons such 
as being registered pharmacists;  
 
(v) only certain institutions or organisations such as zoos, museums and research 
institutions may apply for a licence to import certain CITES endangered species , 
mainly spe cies listed in CITES Appendix I;  
 
(vi) only licensed personnel with relevant qualification and experience may import 
veterinary biologics .  A key criterion for the issuance of the dealer’s licence for G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
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  veterinary biologics is the suitability of the faciliti es/ premises; applicants dealing in 
ornamental fish import or export activities must have approved premises with 
facilities for holding, quarantining, and packing of ornamental fish ; 
 
(vii) only companies registered in Singapore are eligible to apply for licences to import 
ODS; 
 
(viii) applicants for permits to import human pathogens (biological agents) or microbial 
toxins  must meet the criteria stipulated in the Biological Agents and Toxins Act ; 
 
(ix) for importers who intend to use radioactive materials/ ionising radiation irradiating 
apparatus/ non -ionising irradiating apparatus, the importers (end -user individuals) 
are required to demonstrate proof of competency by passing a proficiency test 
administered by the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science De partment, before a 
licence to use the item is issued (to the individuals).  
 
Documentation and other requirements for application for license  
10.  The following information is required in applications for import licences:  particulars of importer, 
company r egistration certificate issued by the Singapore Registry of Companies and Businesses, 
product description, product quantity, mode of transport, and port of shipment/transport, product 
brand/serial number /model /make and country of origin.  Information on import procedures and 
applications is otherwise available over the respective agencies’ websites.  Additional requirements 
in applications to import the following products include:  
 
(i) for applications to import hazardous substances , documents of approval  from the 
Central Building Plan Department (CBPD) and a valid Hazardous Substances Licence 
or Permit from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) 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 deal in rice, telecommunication equipment, arms , explosives , and 
explosive precursors , documents on the technical specifications of the products.  In 
addition, applicants for licences to import  arms and explosives must ensure the 
following:  
 
• Auxiliary Police Officers  are engaged to escor t the transportation of goods;  
• all pyrotechnics are to be stored at wharves designated by the Port of Singapore 
Authority (PSA);  
• high explosives can only be loaded or unloaded at Tuas Explosives Jetty;  
 
(iii) for applications  of CITES permits  to import CIT ES specimens (live, parts or 
products) , they  would require  the CITES export or re -export permits  issued by the 
CITES Management Authority of the exporting or re -exporting country;  
 
(iv) for applications to import any merchandise or product containing : 
• any photograph of, or any drawing or design in any size, scale of colour, 
resembling; or  
• any design or part thereof used in or on ;  
• any Singapore currency note or coin , visuals or sample s of the merchandise or 
product;  
 
(v) for pharmaceuticals (chemical & biologic drugs) , the criteria taken into consideration 
for product licensing are quality, safety and efficacy of the product.  Technical dossier 
comprising clinical data, quality and safety data as well as product information and 
packaging are to be submit ted.  For products to be evaluated through an abridge 
evaluation route, a documentary evidence that the product has been approved by a 
Drug Regulatory Agency such as Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) is 
required to be submitted.  For a product   to be evaluated through a Full Evaluation 
Route, documentary evidence like the CPP is not required.  Products manufactured G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
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  from manufacturing facilities which have not been inspected and certified by the 
competent authorities recognized by the Health Scien ces Authority (HSA) will be 
subject to HSA's GMP audit requirement. Medicinal product registration requirements 
and guidelines are published on HSA’s website ;     
 
(vi) for Chinese Proprietary Medicines , full product formula, a set of labels/package 
insert , product sample, manufacturer’s licence/certificate, certificate of free sale or 
equivalent and test reports containing test results for toxic heavy metals and 
microbial contamination;  
  
(vii) for plants, live insects, micro -organisms, growing medium such  as soil, peat moss 
and fertilizer of plant origin , import permits are valid for two weeks and each permit 
is for one consignment only; and when required, accompanied by phytosanitary 
certificates / CITES permit  or similar official statement issued not more than 14 days 
prior to date of shipment of consignment by a competent government agency or 
agricultural authority.  Imports of the above listed items are also subject to plant 
quarantine inspection requirements ; 
 
(viii) for ODS, a valid Hazardous Substances  licence must first be obtained from NEA to 
import ODS into Singapore.  During importation, bill of lading and invoices must b e 
submitted to NEA for approval;  
 
(ix) for a licence to import petroleum and flamma ble materials , applicants are required 
to have a valid Petroleum & Flammable Materials (P&FM) Storage Licence, where the 
premises are licensed to store the imported flammable products ;  
 
(x) for gas import  licenses, information required for such applicatio ns can be found on 
https://www.ema.gov.sg/Licensees_Gas_Importer_LNG.aspx ; 
 
(xi) for applications to import high risk biological agents and microbial toxins , the 
applicants must have pr ior approvals to possess the biologica l agents or toxins from 
the MOH;   
 
(xii) for applications to import hazardous waste , any person who wishes to export, import 
or transit hazardous wastes shall obtain a permit from NEA. NEA adopts the Prior 
Informed Consent (PIC) procedure of the Basel Convention in granting any permit 
for the export, import  or transit of hazardous wastes;  
 
(xiii) for applications to import radioactive materials and irradiating apparatus , the 
applicants should furnish documentations s howing the type approval and compliance 
with international standards.  
 
11.  Upon actual importation,  most importers are  required to make an Inward Declaration showing 
the correct description and quantities of each consignment made electronically through TradeNet® . 
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, title and number of copies of the publication have to 
be specified;  
 
(ii) for arms, explosives  and explosive precursors , import ed goods may be required to 
be produced for further inspection at the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department 
immediately after customs clearance;  
 
(iii) for meat and meat pr oducts , imports 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; for selected  fish or fish products, additional product quality and 
quarantine requirements apply ; 
 
(iv) for live animals/birds/ornamental fish, products of live animals/birds and veterinary 
biologics , importers are required to show the import permits issued by the AVA  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
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  together with relevant documents (such as veterinary health certificate, QC report) 
from the exporting country. All ornamental fish imported must be healthy and free 
from any clinical signs of disease at the time of import. Sources may need to be 
approved  by the AVA prior to import application, depending on the type of product. 
Endangered species must be accompanied by C ITES permits;   
 
(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; and be in containers which, at the time of importation, must bear the name 
and address of the producer.  In addition to the  requirements above, the date and 
time of arrival of eac h consignment must be indicated;  
 
(vi) for plants, live insects, micro -organisms, growing medium such as soil, peat moss 
and fertilizer of plant origin , importers are required to produce the relevant 
documents (such as phytosanitary certificate, CITES permit for endangered plant 
species, and   post entry inspection form);  
 
(vii) for rough diamonds , presentation of the shipment together with valid Kimberley 
Process certificate issued by the relevant overseas Kimberley Process participant  to a 
proper officer of customs at the customs station is required at the point of import ; 
 
(viii) gas importers  are required to submit their gas contracts, as well as monthly imported 
quantities to EMA. Licensees are als o required to declare bi -annually whether they 
have complied with all the conditions set out in the licen ce; 
 
(ix) for radioactive materials , each consignment must produce the radioactive source 
certificate and shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods.   For consignments of 
Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs), each consignment must produce 
the Analysis Certificate from competent laboratories on the NORMs.  
 
12.  Licensing fees are required for the following classes of licences:  
 
(i) Dealers’  licences  
 
-  a permit fee of S$11 per consignment of pl ants, live insects, plant micro -organisms, 
growing medium such as soil, peat moss and fertilizer of plant origin.  Other fees for 
and incidental to any inspection or examination activities are also speci fied under 
the Control of Plants (Plant Importation) Rules;  
 
-  a permit fee of S$4. 60 per 100 kilogrammes applies for chilled, frozen meat and 
processed meat, and S$77 per consignment of meat packed in cans;  
 
-  a permit fee of S$3 .50 per consignment applies for ornam ental fish, and S$3 per 
consignment for food fish and fish products as well as fresh fruits and vegetables;  
 
- a permit fee of S$87 per consignment of live animals imported for commercial 
purposes; S$ 62 per consignment of live birds and eggs imported for commercial 
purposes; S$50 per permit for pet animals/birds; and S$2 2 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 b y the importers;  
 
- a permit 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.  
Each permit is valid for three months and may be extended for another thre e 
months;  
 
- a licence fee of S$40 per consignment applies to radioactive materials and irradiating 
apparatus. Each import licence is valid for one month or until the shipment is cleared, 
whichever is shorter.  Validity can be extended if the consignee can  prove that the 
shipment was delayed;  
 G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
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  - a licence fee of S$ 22 per consignment applies to import of arms, explosives  and 
explosive precursors ; 
 
-  various fees related to registration of therapeutic products and medical devices  are 
published on HSA’s website ;   
 
- licence fees for tobacco products is stipulated in:  
 http://www.hsa.gov.sg/content/hsa/en/Health_Products_Regulati on/Tobacco_Cont
rol/Application_and_Registration/Fees.html  
 
- a licensing fee of $50 per annum (or part thereof) is required for Kimberl ey Process 
licenses for impo rt and export of rough diamonds;  
 
- a licensing fee of  $70 per annum is required for petroleum & flammable materials.   
 
(ii) Dealers’ licences  
 
- an annual licence fee of S$378 for fresh fruit and vegetables;  
 
- a maximum duration of 2-year licence fee ranging from S$ 285 - S$1,850  for arms , 
explosives  and explosive precursors ;  
 
- an annua l 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$ 45 for veterinary biologics;  
 
- an annual licence fee of $210 to manufacture, possess for sale or deal in irradiating 
apparatus or radioactive materials.  An annual licence fee of $155 to keep or possess 
radioactive materials and irradiating apparatus other than for sale (note: each unit 
of irradiating apparatus requires individual licence).  An annual licence fee of $145 
to use radioactive materials or irradiating apparatus. An annual licence fee of $155 
to handle and transport radioactive materials . An annual license fee of $105 to use 
high-power laser apparatus. For further details, please refer to NEA’s website: 
https://www.nea.gov.sg/our -services/radiation -safety/licensing -and-fees; 
 
- a lifetime licence fee of S$50 for rice  (with effect from 1 Oct ober 2009);  
 
- an annual licence fee of S$180 for operations of fruit/jackpot machines, renewable 
at  S$30 per annum;  
 
- a registration fee of S$50 (one time only) for dealing in IMDA  approved/registered 
equipment under the Dealer’s Class Licence, and a licence fee of S $250 for five years 
for dealing in approved/registered as well as non -approved types of 
telecommunication equipment under the Dealer’s Individual Licence;  
 
- a bank guarantee of S$200,000 for publishers to circulate offshore newspapers in 
Singapore;  
 
-  various fees relevant to dealers of therapeutic products, medical devices, Chinese 
proprietary medicines and cosmetic products are published on HSA’s website.     
 
- an annual licence fee of S$ 525 for the import, export, sale, storage and transport of 
hazar dous substances; an annual permit fee of S$ 115 for the purchase, use and 
storage of hazardous substances.  
 
- an annual Basel permit fee of S$3 35 for the export, import or transit of hazardous 
waste, a 3 month Basel permit fee of S$125 for the export, impor t or transit of 
hazardous waste . 
 
13.  There are no deposit or advance payment requirements associated with the issue of licences.  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
- 11 - 
 
  Conditions of licensing  
14.   The period of the validity of a dealer’s licence is as specified in the response to Question 12.  
The approved product licences cease to be valid once the importation of the concerned products is 
effected.  The NA (CWC) License issued is valid until the end  of the calendar year  regardless of the 
date of application . The validity of these licences may be extended by renewal.  
 
A Gas Importer Licence is valid up to the expiry of all gas contracts entered into between the licensee 
and its suppliers and/or custom ers. 
 
15.   There is no penalty for the non -utilisation of licence or a portion of it.  
 
16.   Licences are not transferable without the approval in writing from the relevant authority . 
 
17.   For products subject to quantitative restriction, in addition to  the requirements listed in the 
responses to Questions 10 and 11, the following conditions are applicable:  
 
(i) Applicants importing CWC Schedule 1 chemicals are subject to the following 
conditions:  
 
- the licensee must inform the NA(CWC) not less than 45 days  before the import from 
CWC State Party;  
 
- the licensee must also inform the NA(CWC) upon receipt of the chemical;  
 
- for the import of Saxitoxin of quantities 5 miligrams or less, that is used for medical 
or diagnostic purpose, the licensee must inform t he NA(CWC) at least  5 days before 
the intended date of import . The licensee must  inform the NA(CWC) after receipt of 
the chemical ; 
 
- the licensee must not import from a CWC Non -State Party;  
 
- the licensee must not re -export the  CWC Schedule 1 chemical . 
 
(ii) Applicants for licenses to import CWC Schedule 1, 2 or 3 chemicals have to 
implement such security measures on or for premises storing or handling these 
chemicals as are required from time to time by inspectors or authorised persons as 
are required from ti me to time.  
 
(iii) There are no other conditions attached to the issue of a license for a product subject 
to quantitative restriction. For products not subject to quantitative restriction, in 
addition to the requirements listed in the responses to Questions 10 a nd 11, the 
following conditions are applicable:  
 
- applicants dealing in fruit/ jackpot machines must ensure that these machines are to 
be used in licensed clubs;  
 
- applications for licenses  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 
that the vehicle transporting radioactive materials displays a proper placard 
showing the radiation sign and  that it is not left unattended ; 
 
• for radioactive materials, if the importer is the end -user (individual), he must 
have (a) a possession licence that specifies the type, quantity and serial number 
(for sealed sources) and quantity of radioactive materials that may be possessed 
and (b) a licence to use, handle and transport radioactive materials. The disposal 
of unwanted, defective or decayed sources shall be the responsibility of the G/LIC/N/3/SGP/14  
 
- 12 - 
 
  licensee who shall follow a n approved method of disposal, (e .g. Return to the 
manufacturer);  
 
• for irradiating apparatus, if the importer is the end -user (individual), he must 
have (a) licence for each individual machine he possess es and (b) licence to use 
these machines ; 
 
• existing R adiation Protection Act and regulations have the provisions to impose 
licensing conditions and other administrative controls over the import or usage of 
radioactive materials and irradiating apparatus. Irradiating apparatus classified 
as medical devices ar e also subject to evaluation and approval by HSA before 
they can be imported for use in Singapore.  
 
(iv) Existing NEA regulations do have the provisions to licensing conditions and other 
administrative controls over the import or usage of radioactive materials and 
irradiating apparatus. Irradiating apparatus classified as medical devices are also 
subject to evaluation and approval by HSA before they can be imported for use in 
Singapore.   
 
Other procedural requirement  
18.  There are no other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation.   
 
19.  Foreign exchange issues are not applicable to import licensing for Singapore,  as only 
Singapore -register ed importers are able to obtain licences.  
 
 
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