G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9  
 
17 September 2013  
(13-4911)  Page: 1/12  
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 communication, dated 15 May 2013, 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-automa tic 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 
 Fresh fruits, vegetables, 
plants and plant products  Control of Plants Act  
 Agri-Food and 
Veterinary Authority 
  Fish and fish products  Wholesome Meat and Fish 
Act 
 Processed food Sale of Food Act 
 Films, video tapes and 
video games  Films Act and its Regulations Media Development 
Authority 
 Publications (includes 
books, magazines, sound recordings, pictures or drawings, photographs)  Undesirable Publications Act  
 
 Mastering equipment and 
replication equipment for 
any of the following: -CD (compact disc);  
 
  Manufacture of Optical Discs 
Act (MODA) Economic 
Development Board 
                                               
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
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  Product Laws and Regulations 
Authorizing Import Licensing Controlling Agency 
- CD-ROM (compact disc-
read only memory); 
- VCD (video compact disc); 
- DVD (digital video disc); 
and 
- DVD-ROM (digital video 
disc-read only memory)    
 
Table 2:  Products subject to non-automatic import licensing  
Product Laws/Regulations Controlling Agency 
 Live animals (including 
ornamental fish), live birds, 
products of animals/birds, shell eggs and veterinary 
biologics/vaccines  Animals and Birds Act  
 Agri-Food and 
Veterinary Authority 
 
 Specific plants, plant 
products and other 
materials (insects, micro-organisms and soil)  Control of Plants (Plant 
Importation) Rules 
 Meat  Wholesome Meat and Fish 
Act 
 Animal feed, milk powder – 
skimmed (coloured for 
animal feed)  Animal and Birds Act and 
Feeding Stuffs Act 
 Endangered species of wild 
fauna and flora (CITES live specimens, parts and products)  Endangered Species (Import 
and Export) Act  
 Veterinary medicaments 
(containing controlled 
substances such as Schedule Poison under the Poisons Act or Controlled 
Drugs under the Misuse of 
Drugs Regulations)  Medicines Act   
 Fruit or jackpot machines  Regulation of Imports and 
Exports Regulations Singapore Police Force  
 
 Arms, explosives and 
explosive precursors 
 Swords 
 Daggers 
 Bayonets 
 Spears 
 Spearheads  Arms and Explosives Act 
 Handcuffs 
 Articles of clothing intended 
as protection against attack, including bullet-
proof vests 
 Steel helmets 
 Toy guns, including pistols 
and revolvers  Regulation of Imports 
and Exports Regulations  
 
 Amusement machines, 
coin- or disc-operated, 
including pin-tables, shooting galleries and 
cinematography machines  Regulation of Imports 
and Exports Regulations G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
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  Product Laws/Regulations Controlling Agency 
 Hazardous substances 
  Environmental Protection 
and Management Act and 
Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) 
Regulations National Environment 
Agency 
 
 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-
conditioners containing CFCs  Environmental Protection 
and Management Act and Environmental Protection and Management (Ozone 
Depleting Substances) 
Regulations  
 
 Petroleum and flammable 
materials  Fire Safety Act and Fire 
Safety (Petroleum and 
Flammable Ma terials) 
Regulations Singapore Civil 
Defence Force 
 Radioactive materials, 
ionising radiation irradiating apparatus and 
non-ionising radiation 
irradiating apparatus  Radiation Protection Act and 
its Regulations National Environment 
Agency 
 Scheduled substances 
under the Poisons Act   Poisons Act and its rules Health Sciences 
Authority 
 Controlled Drugs (CD) Misuse of Drugs Regulations 
 Medical Devices  Health Products Act and its 
Regulations 
 Tobacco products   Tobacco (Control of 
Advertisements and Sale ) Act and its Regulations 
 Medicinal products 
comprising western 
pharmaceuticals (including 
psychotropic substances), biologics and Chinese 
proprietary medicines  Medicines Act and its 
Regulations  
 
 Controlled 
telecommunication 
equipment   Telecommunications 
(Dealers) Regulations Infocomm 
Development 
Authority (IDA) 
 Scheduled chemicals under 
the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)  Chemical Weapons 
(Prohibition) Act and its Regulations  National Authority 
(Chemical Weapons Convention), 
Singapore Customs 
  
 Rice 
  Price Control (Rice) Order 
 International 
Enterprise Singapore 
 Poppy seeds (kaskas) 
  Regulation of Imports and 
Exports Regulations Central Narcotics 
Bureau 
 Controlled materials or 
substances used for the 
manufacturing of controlled 
drugs  Misuse of Drugs Act 
 Central Narcotics 
Bureau G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
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  Product Laws/Regulations Controlling Agency 
 Merchandise/product 
containing a photograph, 
drawing or design resembling or used in/on Singapore currency notes 
and coins  Currency Act  Monetary Authority of 
Singapore 
 
 Rough diamonds  Regulation of Imports and 
Exports (Kimberley Process) Regulations Singapore Customs 
 Essential Construction 
Materials (sand and 
granite)   Building and Construction 
Authority Act Building and 
Construction Authority  
 Biological agents that 
are capable of causing 
death, disease or other biological malfunction in a 
human    Biological Agents and Toxins 
Act Ministry of Health  
 Certain microbial toxins  
 Piped natural gas and 
liquefied natural gas  Gas Act Energy Market 
Authority 
 3.  The licensing system applies to products listed in Tables 1 and 2 above originating in and coming from all countries.  
 
For Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), import licences are granted only for products originating from countries which are signatories 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 goods originating in and coming from 
Kimberley Process Participants only. Please refer to http://www.kimber leyprocess.com/  for a list of 
Kimberley Process Participants.  
 
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.  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 gove rnment abolishes any licensing system.   
 Procedures 
6.  Under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC),  Singapore is required to limit the aggregate 
amount of Schedule 1 chemicals it produces, acquires, retains, transfers or uses to 1 tonne per 
annum. Singapore is also required to make declarations on the transfers of scheduled chemicals to 
the OPCW annually. 
 
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 G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
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  scheme. Under this scheme, each licensee shall k eep a rice stockpile quantity which is derived 
from their import quantities. 
 Currently, BG Singapore Gas Marketing (BGSGM) is the sole Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Aggregator for Singapore, with an exclusive right to sell LNG up to 3 Million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) or until 2023, whichever is earlier. BGSGM was appointed the sole aggregator after a 2-round selection process. Information on BGSGM’s exclusive franchise is published on EMA’s website. EMA does not import limits on where BGSGM has to import LNG from. BGSGM’s Gas Importer (LNG) Licence only allows it to import LNG. All licensed gas importers are listed on EMA’s website at http://www.ema.go v.sg/page/119/ id:139/.  
  Singapore is a signatory to the Montreal Protocol and its amendments.  The control 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 to comply. 
 
I.  The list of scheduled chemicals under the Ch emical Weapons Convention is available over 
the Internet at http://www.customs.gov.sg/n acwc/topNav/hom/  Information regarding 
rice importation is available at https://rice.iesingapore.gov.sg/   On ODS matters, the 
importer can find the information from the Ozone Secretariat 
(http://ozone.unep.org/index.asp) and the NEA 
(http://app2.nea.gov.sg/Ozone_Depleting_Substances.aspx) websites. 
  
II. The aggregate amount of CWC Schedule 1 is ap plicable on an annual basis.  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, will be freezing the consumption 
of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2013, and to phase out the use and consumption of HCFCs by 2030.  
BGSGM’s franchise was determined in 2007 based on the assessed minimum baseload 
necessary to underpin the investment in the LNG terminal. If Singapore decides to appoint a second LNG importer, Singapore will assess the size of the quota, after evaluating 
prevailing market conditions and consulting industry players. 
 III–VI. Please refer to paragraph 6 and weblinks provided in (I) above. 
 
VII. Applications for licences to import CWC Scheduled chemicals are approved by the 
Director-General of Customs. Rice licence app lications are processed by the IE Singapore.  
Applications for licences to import ODS products are approved by National Environment Agency.  In all cases the importer does not have to approach more than one administrative organ. 
 VIII. Licences for both CWC Scheduled chemicals and ODS products are made on a first come, 
first served basis. There is no maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and no 
unique provisions for new importers. Applications are examined on receipt. 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 telecommunications equipment: Telecommunication Dealer’s (Individual) and Dealer’s (Class) Licences".  A Dealer Class licensee can only deal with telecoms equipment that has been approved / registered by the Infocomm 
Development Authority (IDA) and equipment exem pted from needing approval. Dealers issued 
with Dealer’s Individual Licence can, in addition to equipment covered under the Class Licence, also deal in non-approved telecoms equipment.  However, such non -approved telecoms equipment  
(e.g. CDMA phones which are not 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.   
  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
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  In addition to non-approved items, prohibited  items (e.g. radio-frequency jammers, military 
equipment) are also disallowed for local consumptio n, largely for security related reasons.  Neither 
the Class licensee nor the Individual licensee is allowed to deal in prohibited equipment unless special approval is given by IDA. 
 
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. Licence applications for Schedules 2 and 3 chemicals must be received by the National 
Authority (CWC) [NA(CWC)] 14 working days prior to the import so as to ensure the 
products meet the requirements under the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act [CW(P)A] 
before their import. 
c. In general, import licences may be granted immediately upon request when applications 
are submitted in appropriate and complete fo rms.  For arms and explosives, radioactive 
materials and irradiating apparatus, import licences can be immediately granted if the importer already has a dealer's licence.  For arms and explosives, end user certification 
and import licence/permit from the final destination country must also be included.  For 
radioactive materials and irradiating apparatus, items imported are specified in their dealer's licence.  Otherwise the importer has to inform the Centre for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science and request for his dealer’s licence to be updated to 
include the items to be imported.  An importer of hazardous substances 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. The application for Kimberley Process licence 
will generally be granted if the intended source of importing country and the intended 
destined country for export are of KP Participant countries and upon submission of complete application. For the importation of natural gas and LNG, applications shall be 
made in writing to the EMA for consideration.  
d. There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which applications for licence 
and/or importation may be made. 
e. Consideration of a 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 re ason(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, whether under the restrictive or non-
restrictive licensing system.    
Generally, all persons, registered firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences and no 
registration fee is necessary.  Applicants for the importation of the following products must meet additional criteria: 
 
(i) for a licence to deal in or import arms and explosives, 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 and explosives; 
 
(ii) 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 
how to safely handle the hazardous substances, and has passed an examination 
for the Course on "Management of Hazardous Substances" conducted by the licensing authority i.e. the Pollution Control Department of National Environment 
Agency.  The Course covers technical knowledge on the safe handling of the G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
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  hazardous substances and on the Environmental Protection and Management Act 
and its Regulations; 
 
(iii) for a licence to deal in controlled telecommunications equipment, applicants should 
have knowledge of their products and IDA’s-equipment registration requirements in order to advise and guide consumers; applicants for a licence must be a company incorporated under the Singapor e 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, applicants 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 species 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 
veterinary biologics is the suitability of the facilities/ 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. 
 Documentation and other requirements for application for license 
10.  The following information is required in applications for import licences:  particulars of 
importer, company registration certificate issued by the Singapore Registry of Companies and 
Businesses, product description, product quan tity, 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 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 Corporation (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); 
-  high explosives can only be loaded or unloaded at Tuas Explosives Jetty; 
 
(iii) for applications of CITES permits to import CITES 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; 
 G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
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  (iv) 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.   
 (v) for western pharmaceutical products and biologics, 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 submitted.  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 from manufacturing facilities which have not been inspected and certified by the competent authorities recognized by the Health 
Sciences 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 
m o r e  t h a n  1 4  d a y s  p r i o r  t o  d a t e  o f  s h i p m e n t  o f  c o n s i g n m e n t  b y  a  c o m p e t e n t  
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 be submitted to NEA for approval. 
 
(ix) for a licence to import petroleum and flammable materials, applicants are required 
to indicate the premises that the imported petroleum and flammable materials are 
to be stored.  The premises must be a licensed premises permitted to store 
petroleum and fla mmable materials. 
 
(x) for gas import licenses, information required for such applications can be found on 
http://www.ema.gov.sg /page/102/id:116/ . 
 
(xi) for applications to import high risk biological agents and microbial toxins, the 
applicants must have prior approvals to possess the biological agents or toxins from 
the MOH.   
 
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 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, title and num ber of copies of the publication have 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 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 G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
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  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 together with relevant documents (s uch 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 CITES permits;  
 
(v) for fresh fruit and vegetables, each cons ignment 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 each 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, an Import Permit will only be issued upon presentation of a 
valid Kimberley Process certificate issued by the overseas exporting Kimberley Process authority. 
 
(viii) Gas importers are required to submit their upstream and downstream gas 
contracts, as well as monthly imported quantities to EMA. Licensees are also 
required to declare bi-annually whether they have complied with all the conditions set out in the license. 
 
12.  Licensing fees are required for the following classes of licences:  
(i) Product licences 
 
-  a permit fee of S$11 per consignment of plants, 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 specified under the Control of Plants (Plant Importation) Rules;  
 
-  a permit fee of S$4.60 per 100 kilogramme s applies for chilled, frozen meat and 
processed meat, and S$77 per consignment of meat packed in cans; 
 
-  a permit fee of S$3 per consignment applie s for ornamental fish, 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$22 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 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 three 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/9 
 
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- a licence fee of S$16 per consignment applies to arms and explosives; 
 
-  licence fees for Western medicines, Chinese proprietary medicines, Cosmetic 
products and Controlled drugs are as stipulated in 
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en /health_products_r egulation/licences_
fees.html ; 
 
-  for registered western medicines, the a nnual licence fee is S$300 per product.  It 
is to be paid annually on renewal.  For new products, there will be application screening fee and evaluation fees charged depending on the route of evaluation.  
The fees are published on HSA's website; 
 - for registration of medical devices, various fees are published on HSA’s website; 
 
- a licensing fee of $50 per annum is required for Kimberley Process licences for 
rough diamonds. 
 
(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$45 for veterinary biologics;  - an annual licence fee at S$308 or a biennial licence at S$616 for hazardous 
substances;  
 - an annual licence fee at S$210 and a biennial licence at S$420 for radioactive 
materials and irradiating apparatus; 
 - a lifetime licence fee of S$50 for rice (with effect from 1 Oct 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 IDA 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; 
 -  an annual licence fee of $500 is applicable to importers of western medicines, and 
Chinese proprietary medicines;  
 
- an import/export licence fee of S$100 per consignment is applicable for controlled 
drugs; 
 
- a licence fee of $250 per consignment is applicable to parallel imports of western 
medicines; 
   
- licence fees relevant to importers of medical devices are published on HSA’s 
website ; 
 G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
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  - 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 use radioactive materials or irradiating apparatus;  and an 
annual fee of S$130 to handle and transport radioactive materials; 
 - An annual licence fee of S$308 for the import, export, sale, storage and transport 
of hazardous substances; an annual permit fee of S$74 for the purchase, use and 
storage of hazardous substances for end-users. 
 
13.  There are no deposit or advance payment requ irements associated with the issue of licences. 
 
Conditions of licensing 
14.   The period of the validity of a dealer’s licenc e is as specified in the response to Question 12.  
The approved product licences cease to be valid on ce the importation of the concerned products is 
effected (except for biological agents and toxins regulated under the Biological Agents and Toxins 
Act). The NA (CWC) License issued is valid until th e end of the calendar year. The validity of these 
licences may be extended by renewal.  A Gas Importer Licence is valid up to the expiry of all gas sales agreements entered into between the licensee and a gas supplier under which the licensee imports or has the right to import natural gas into Singapore. The existing Gas Importer Licence (LNG) is valid up till the 20
th anniversary of the 
date of commercial operations of the Singapore LNG terminal or such later date as contained in any gas sales agreement approved by the EMA. The licensee may, no later than two years prior to the expiry of the licence, apply for a renewal of the licence.  
 
15.   There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of licence or a portion of it. 
 16.   Licences are not transferable without the ap proval in writing from the relevant authority. 
 
17.   For products subject to quantitative restrict ion, 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) no t less than 45 days before and after the 
import from CWC State Party; 
 
- the licensee must inform the NA(CWC) no t less than 5 days before and after the 
import from CWC State Party, if the import is Saxitoxin, not exceeding 5 milligrams, for medical/diagnostic purposes 
 
- the licensee must not import from a CWC Non-State Party; 
 - the licensee must not re-export the CWC Schedule 1 chemical. 
 
(ii)  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 requiremen ts listed in the responses to Questions 10 
and 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 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 that G/LIC/N/3/SGP/9 
 
- 12 - 
 
  the vehicle transporting radioactive materials displays a proper placard showing 
the radiation sign and that it is not left unattended, 
 - the importer, if he is an end-user, must possess a licence that specifies the type 
and quantity of radioactive materials th at may be possessed, and another licence 
for the use, handling and transport of radioactive materials; and another licence for an individual to use these machines, 
 
- if the importer is the end-user of irradiating apparatus, the company must have a 
licence for each machine it possesses. 
 
(iii)  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-registered importers are able to obtain licences.  
 
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