WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
6 October 2009 
 (09-4765) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Ar ticle 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
SINGAPORE 
 
  The following communication, dated 30 September 2009, has been received from 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 inte rnational 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 Regulati ons Authorizing 
Import Licensing Controlling Agency 
• Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants 
and plant products • Control of Plants Act  
 
• Live animals (including 
ornamental fish), live birds, products of live animals/birds 
and veterinary 
biologics/vaccines • Animals and Birds Act  
  
• Meat, food, fish and meat/fish 
products • Wholesome Meat and Fish Act 
• Animal feed, milk powder – 
skimmed (coloured for animal 
feed) • Animal and Birds Act and 
Feeding Stuffs Act Agri-Food and 
Veterinary Authority (AVA), Ministry of 
National Development 
(MND)  
• Veterinary medicaments • Medicines Act   
• Tobacco products and related 
advertisements • Smoking (Control of 
Advertisements and Sale of Tobacco) Act and its Regulations Health Sciences 
Authority (HSA) 
                                                      
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
Page 2  
 
  Product Laws and Regulati ons Authorizing 
Import Licensing Controlling Agency 
• Films, video tapes and video 
games • Films Act and its Regulations 
Publications, gramophone records, 
paintings and prints • Undesirable Publications Act  
 Media Development 
Authority (MDA), 
Ministry of Information, 
Communications and the Arts (MICA) 
• 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 
- DVD-ROM (digital video disc-
read only memory) • Regulation of Imports and 
Exports Regulations Singapore Customs 
• Biological agents that are 
capable of causing death, 
disease or other biological malfunction in a human  
 Certain microbial toxins  • Biological Agents and Toxins 
Act  Biosafety Branch, 
Ministry of Health  
  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
 Page 3 
 
 
  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 
• Specific plants, plant products 
and other materials (insects, micro-organisms and soil) • Control of Plants (Plant 
Importation) Rules 
• Endangered species of wild 
fauna and flora (CITES 
products) • Endangered Species (Import and 
Export) Act  AVA, MND 
 
• Fruit or jackpot machines • Private Lotteries Act 
• Arms and explosives 
• Swords 
• Daggers 
• Bayonets 
• Spears 
• Spearheads 
• Nitro-cellulose • 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 Licensing Division, 
Singapore Police Force, 
Ministry of Home 
Affairs (MHA)  
• Hazardous substances 
 • Environmental Protection and 
Management Act and 
Environmental Protection and 
Management (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 
• Ozone depleting substances 
(ODS) and products containing ODS such as the following: 
o Fire extinguishers and fire 
protection systems using halons • Environmental Protection and 
Management Act and 
Environmental Protection and Management (Ozone Depleting 
Substances) Regulations 2000 Pollution Control 
Department, National 
Environment Agency 
(NEA)  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
Page 4  
 
  Product Laws/Regulations Controlling Agency 
o Air-conditioning and 
refrigeration equipment  using Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 
o Vehicles with air-
conditioners containing CFCs  
 
• Petroleum and flammable 
materials • Fire Safety Act and Fire Safety 
(Petroleum and Flammable 
Materials) Regulations Singapore Civil Defence 
Force, MHA 
• Radioactive materials and 
irradiating apparatus 
 • Radiation Protection Act and its 
Regulations Centre for Radiation 
Protection and Nuclear Science, NEA 
• Medicinal products comprising 
western pharmaceuticals, 
biologics and Chinese proprietary medicines • Medicines Act and its 
Regulations  
 
• Poisons/Controlled drugs • Poisons Act and the Misuse of 
Drugs Regulations 
• Controlled Drugs 
(CD)/Psychotropic Substances • Misuse of Drugs Act and its 
Regulation Centre for Drug 
Administration, HSA 
 
• Controlled telecommunication 
equipment  • Telecommunications (Dealers) 
Regulations Infocomm Development 
Authority (IDA) 
• Scheduled chemicals  under the 
Chemical Weapons 
Convention (CWC) • Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) 
Act  National Authority 
(CWC) 
  
• Rice 
 • Price Control (Rice) Order 
 International Enterprise 
Singapore (IE Singapore) 
• Poppy seeds (kaskas) 
 • Regulation of Imports and 
Exports Regulations Central Narcotics 
Bureau, MHA 
• Controlled materials or 
substances used for the 
manufacturing of controlled 
drugs • Misuse of Drugs Act 
 Centre for Drug 
Administration, HSA 
• Merchandise/product 
containing a photograph, 
drawing or design resembling 
or used in/on Singapore currency notes and coins • Currency Act  Monetary Authority of 
Singapore (MAS), 
Ministry of Finance 
 
• Rough diamonds • Regulation of Imports and Exports 
(Kimberley Process) Regulations Singapore Customs 
 
3. The licensing system applies to products listed in Tables 1 and 2 above originating in and 
coming from all countries.   
For ODS, import licences are granted only for products originating from countries which are 
signatories to the Montreal Protocol and the rele vant Amendments.  Imports are prohibited from non-
signatories, in accordance with the obligations unde r the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments. 
 
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme a pplies to goods originating in and coming from 
Kimberley Process Participants only. Please refer to http://w ww.kimberleyprocess.com:8080/site/
  for a 
list of Kimberly Process participants.    G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
 Page 5 
 
 
  4. Singapore's import licensing procedures are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of 
imports.  They are maintained for the purpo se of discharging Singapore's obligations under 
international agreements or for health, safety, e nvironmental and national security reasons.  As an 
example, the purpose of Kimberley Process licensing is 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 syst em is undertaken by the various licensing 
authorities for different products, the designation of produc ts to be subjected to licensing is not left to 
the discretion of the administration.  The latter re quires 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.  
 To meet emergency requirements, Singapore ma intains 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 that 
importers stockpile the stipulated types and mini mum 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 – ordinary licences are is sued automatically.  The only requirement for 
ordinary licences is that applicant is a business entit y registered with the Registry of Companies and 
Businesses.  For a licence to import stockpile grad e of rice, importers are required to sign a rice 
stockpile agreement with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) before IE Singapore, a statutory board under MTI, issues the licence to import. 
 
 Singapore is a signatory to the Montreal Prot ocol 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 th e CWC is available over the Internet at 
http://www.customs.gov.sg/nacwc
.  Information regarding ri ce importation is published in 
notices issued by IE Singapore.  Copies of th e notices are available at the IE Singapore’s 
office premises and over the Internet at http:// www.traderegister.gov.sg/rice.html.  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_Deple ting_Substances.aspx) websites. 
 II. The aggregate amount of CWC Schedule 1 is a pplicable on an annual basis.  There is no 
maximum quota for the importation of rice.  There is no quota system for ODS imports and 
exports in Singapore.  Licenses for import/expor t of ODS are valid for one or two-year 
period. 
 III– VI. Please refer to paragraph 6 a nd weblinks provided in (I) above. 
 G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
Page 6  
 
  VII. Applications for licences to import CWC Schedule 1 chemicals are approved by the Director-
General of Customs. Rice licence applications are processed by the IE Singapore.  Applications for licences to import ODS pr oducts 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 Schedule 1 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 pr ohibited telecoms equipment
 
  
 There are two categories of licences for dealing in telecoms equipment: "Individual Licence" 
and "Class Licence".  A Class licensee can only deal w ith telecoms equipment that has been approved 
by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) a nd equipment exempted from needing approval. 
Dealers issued with 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 Singa pore.  They can be exported or sold to tourists.   
   In addition to non-approved items, prohibited items (e.g. radio-fre quency jammers, military 
equipment) are also disallowed for local consumpti on, largely for security related reasons.  Neither 
the Class licensee nor the Individual licensee is allowe d to deal in prohibited equipment unless special 
approval is given by IDA. 
  7(a)  The range of time taken for processing the va rious 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.  
 
 Licence applications for artificial sweeteni ng agents, food containing artificial sweetening 
agent(s) and irradiated foods must be received by the AVA three days prior to the import so as to ensure that the products meet the s tipulated requirements before the import.  
 7(b)  In general, import licences may be grante d 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.  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 appara tus, 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 update d 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 temporar ily, pending the approval for an import licence. 
Kimberly Process Licences may be granted immediately on request, upon submission of 
complete application. 
 
7(c).  There are no limitations as to the period of  the year during which applications for licence 
and/or importation may be made.  
  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
 Page 7 
 
 
  7(d)   Consideration of a licence application is effected by a single administrative organ as specified 
in the respective legislation, cited in res ponse 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 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 ins titutions 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 import films and videos ,  applicant may be a sole-proprietor, a 
partnership, limited partnership, a limited liability partnership company  or a limited 
company.  There is no minimum paid-up capital requirement for a limited company; 
 
(ii) 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; 
 
(iii) individuals are not allowed to import  wild animals
. Institutions are allowed to apply 
for a licence to import wild animals fro m the licensing authority, i.e. AVA, for 
primarily non-commercial purposes and they must demonstrate that they are 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 sta ff, 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 S ubstances" conducted by the licensing 
authority i.e. the Pollution Control Depart ment of National Environment Agency.  
The Course covers technical knowledge on the safe handling of the hazardous 
substances and on the Environmental Pr otection and Management Act and its 
Regulations; 
 
(v) for a licence to deal in cont rolled telecommunications equipment , applicants should 
have knowledge of their products and IDA- type approval requirements in order to 
advise and guide consumers;  applicants for a licence must be a company incorporated under the Singapore Compani es Act, a Limited Liability Partnership 
under the Singapore Limited Liability Partnerships Act, or a business registered with 
the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore;  
 
(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; 
 G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
Page 8  
 
  (viii) only certain institutions or organisa tions 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 licensed 
by the AVA.  A key criterion for the i ssuance of the dealer’s licence for both 
veterinary biologics, and hen eggs and livestock is the suitability of the facilities/ premises; applicants dealing in ornamental fish import or export activities must have 
approved premises with facilities for hol ding, quarantining,  and packing of 
ornamental fish; 
 
(x) applicants for licences to import Category 1 cosmetic products
 must be registered 
with the Registry of Companies and Businesses;  and 
 
(xi) only companies registered in Singapore ar e eligible to apply for licences to import 
ODS . 
 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
 
10. The following information is required in ap plications for import licences:  particulars of 
importer, company registration certificate issued  by the Singapore Registry of Companies and 
Businesses, product description, product quantity, mode of transport, port of shipment/transport, 
product brand/serial number/model/ma ke 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 Unit (CBPU) to show  that the applicant has approved storage 
and handling facilities to handle hazardous subs tances 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 is required.  Low calorie food, sugar-free food and specially formulated sports 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 the 
product.  Low calorie food, sugar-free food a nd specially formulated sports food are 
the only food products where artificial sweet ening agents can be used.  The product 
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 C odex Recommended International Code of 
Practice for the Operation of Radiation F acilities Used for Treatment of Foods, and 
that such irradiated food meets the Code x General Standards for Irradiated Foods.  
The irradiated food must also bear a labe l with the following words (of not less than 
3mm height), 'TREATED WITH IONIZING IRRADIATION’ or ‘IRRADIATED (here insert the name of the food)’;  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
 Page 9 
 
 
  (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 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; 
 
(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 western pharmaceutical products and biologics, the criteria taken into 
consideration for product licensing are qualit y, 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 submitte d.  For products to be evaluated through 
an abridge evaluation route, a Free Sale Certificate or Certificate of Pharmaceutical 
Product is required to be submitted.  For a product submitted or product licensing 
through a Full Evaluation Route, a FSC or CPP is not required.  Products manufactured from plants which have not been inspected and certified  by the competent authorities recognized by Singapore authority will be subject to HSA's 
GMP audit requirement;  
 (ix) 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; 
 
(x) for plants, live insects, micro organisms, soil, peat moss and fertilizer of plant origin
, 
import licences are valid for two weeks a nd for one consignment only;  and when 
required, accompanied by phytosanitary certificates 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; 
 (xi) for ODS
, a licence (for prior approval) 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. 
 
(xii) 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 flammable materials.      
 
11. Upon actual importation, importers are required to make an Inward Declaration showing the 
correct description and quantities of each consignm ent made electronically through the TradeNet 
system.  Shipping documents such as the Bill of Ladi ng/ Airway Bill and invoice are also required.  
Additional requirements for the impor tation of certain products include: G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
Page 10  
 
  (i) for publications
, the language, title and number of co pies 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 should be shipped directly and must be derived 
from sources approved by the licensing auth ority 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 qu arantine requirements apply; 
 (iv) for live animals/birds/ornamental fish, pr oducts of live animals/birds and veterinary 
biologics , importers are required to show the import permits issued by the AVA 
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 CITES 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 Tranship ment of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables) 
Rules;  and be in containers which, at th e 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 rough diamonds , an Import Permit will only be  issued upon presentation of a 
Kimberly Process certificat e issued by the overseas e xporting Kimberly Process 
authority. 
 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, 
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 consi gnment of meat packed in cans; 
 
-  a permit fee of S$3 per consignment applies 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; 
  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
 Page 11 
 
 
  - 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 licence 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 ex tended if the consignee can prove that the 
shipment was delayed; 
 
-  a licence fee of S$16 per consignment applies to arms and explosives; 
 
-  licence fees for Western drugs, Chinese proprietary medicines, Cosmetic products 
and Controlled drugs are as stipulated in http://www.hsa.gov.sg/html/cda/fees.html; 
 
-  a import/export licence fee of S$100 pe r consignment of controlled drugs;  
 
-  annual licence fee of $500 is applicable to importers of pharmaceuticals, biologics 
and Chinese proprietary medicines;  
 
-  a licence fee of $250 per consignment is a pplicable to unauthorized dealers in the 
case of parallel imports;  
 
- a licensing fee of $50 per annum is requir ed for Kimberly 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$280 or a biennial licence at S$560 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 equipment 
under the Dealer’s Class Licence, and an annual licence fee of S$250 for dealing in approved as well as non-approved types of telecommunication equipment under the 
Dealer’s Individual Licence; 
 G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
Page 12  
 
    
-  a bank guarantee of S$200,000 for publishers  to circulate offshore newspapers in 
Singapore; 
 
-  licence fees for Western medicines, Ch inese proprietary medicines, Cosmetic 
products and Controlled drugs are as stipulated in 
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/html/cda/fees.html ; 
 -  for registered western pharmaceuticals a nd biologics, the annual 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; 
 
-  an annual licence fee of  S$115 for licence to import artificial sweetening agent and 
food containing artificial sweetening ag ents, and annual fee of $95 to import 
irradiated foods;  
 
-  an annual licence fee of S$180 to manufact ure, 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 apparatu s other than for sale;  an annual fee of 
S$120 to use radioactive materials or irradi ating apparatus;  and an annual fee of 
S$130 to handle and transport radioactive materials; 
 -  an annual licence fee of  S$280 or a biennial fee of S$560 for the importation of 
ODS.  
 
13. There are no deposit or advance payment require ments associated with the issue of licences.  
 
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 on ce 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. There are no other conditions attached to th e 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:  
 
(i) applicants dealing in fruit/jackpot machines must ensure that these machines are to be 
used in licensed clubs; 
 (ii) applications to deal in radioactive mate rials and irradiating apparatus are subject to 
the following conditions; 
 
- the company must possess a licence to handle a nd transport radioactive materials if it 
undertakes its own transportation.  In add ition, the importer must ensure that the  G/LIC/N/3/SGP/7 
 Page 13 
 
 
  vehicle transporting radioactive material s 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 that ma y 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. 
 Other procedural requirements
 
 
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.   
__________