WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
12 November 2003
(03-6061)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Ag reement on Import Licensing Procedures
SINGAPORE
The following communication, dated 5 November 2003, has been received from the delegation
of Singapore.
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Outline of system
1. Singapore’s policy is to keep import licensing to a minimum. Import licensing procedures are
maintained to fulfil Singapore's obligations under in ternational agreements or to ensure that health,
safety, environment and national security objectives are met.
Purposes and coverage of licensing
2. Products subject to automatic and non-automatic import licensing are listed in Tables 1 and 2
respectively.
Table 1: Products subject to automatic import licensing
Product Laws and Regulations
Authorizing Import LicensingControlling Agency
• Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and
plant products• Control of Plants Act Agri-Food and
Veterinary Authority
(AVA), Ministry of
National Development
(MND)
• Live animals, live birds, products
of live animals/birds and
veterinary biologics/vaccines• Animals and Birds Act
• Ornamental fish • Animals and Birds Act;
Animals and Birds
(ornamental fish) Rules 2002
• Meat, fish and meat/fish products Wholesome Meat and Fish Act
                                                     
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
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Product Laws and Regulations
Authorizing Import LicensingControlling Agency
• Animal feed, milk powder –
skimmed (coloured for animal
feed)• Animal and Birds Act and
Feeding Stuffs Act
• Veterinary medicaments • Medicines Act
• Films, video tapes and video discs • Films Act and its Regulations
• Publications, gramophone records,
paintings and prints• Undesirable Publications ActBoard of Film Censors,
Films and Publications
Department, Ministry ofInformation,
Communication and the
Arts (MITA)
• Machetes and axes • Corrosive and Explosives
Substances and Offensives
Weapons Act
• Handcuffs
• Christmas crackers
• 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 RegulationsLicensing Division,
Arms and Explosives
Branch, SingaporePolice Force, Ministry
of Home Affairs (MHA)
• Amusement machines, coin- or
disc-operated, including pin-tables,
shooting galleries and
cinematography machines• Regulation of Imports and
Exports RegulationsCommissioner of Estate
Duties, Inland Revenue
Authority of Singapore,Ministry of Finance
• Mastering equipment and
replication equipment for any ofthe 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 RegulationsSingapore CustomsG/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
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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 AVA, Ministry of
National Development
(MND)
• Specific plants, plant products and
other materials (insects, micro-
organisms and soil)• Control of Plants (Plant
Importation) RulesAVA, Ministry of
National Development
(MND)
• Endangered species of wild fauna
and flora (CITES products)• Endangered Species (Import
and Export) Act
• Fruit or jackpot machines • Private Lotteries Act Commissioner of Estate
Duties, Inland Revenue
Authority of Singapore,
Ministry of Finance
• Hazardous substances • Environmental Pollution
Control Act andEnvironmental Pollution
Control (Hazardous
Substances) RegulationsPollution Control
Department, National
Environment Agency
(NEA)
• Radioactive materials and
irradiating apparatus• Radiation Protection Act and
its RegulationsCentre for Radiation
Protection, Health
Science Authority
(HSA)
• Medicines
• Chinese proprietary medicines
• Category 1 cosmetic products• Medicines Act and related
regulations and orders for
medicines, Chineseproprietary medicines and
Category 1 cosmetic products
• Poisons/drugs • Poisons Act and the Misuse of
Drugs ActCentre for
PharmaceuticalAdministration, HSA
• Controlled telecommunication
equipment• Telecommunication
(Dealer’s) RegulationsInfocomm Development
Authority (IDA)
• Scheduled chemicals under the
Chemical Weapons Convention
(CWC)• Chemical Weapons
(Prohibition) ActNational Authority
(CWC)
• Rice • Price Control (Rice) Order International Enterprise
Singapore (IE
Singapore)G/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
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Product Laws/Regulations Controlling Agency
• Poppy seeds (kaskas) • Regulation of Imports and
Exports RegulationsCentral Narcotics
Bureau
• Controlled equipment, materials
or substances used for themanufacturing of controlled drugs• Misuse of Drugs Regulations Centre for
Pharmaceutical
Administration, HSA
• Arms and explosives • Arms and Explosives Act Arms and Explosives
Branch, Singapore
Police Force, Ministry
of Home Affairs
• Merchandise/product containing a
photograph, drawing or design
resembling or used in/onSingapore currency notes and
coins• Currency Act Monetary Authority of
Singapore (MAS),Ministry of Finance
Ozone depleting substances (may beimported only if they are to be re-
exported)
• Halon 1211 and fire extinguishers
using halon 1211
• Halon 1301 and fire protection
systems using Halon 1301
• Halon 2402
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• 1,1,1-trichloroethane (Methyl
Chloroform)
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 11,
12, 113, 114, 115 as a refrigerant
in new air-conditioning andrefrigeration equipment except for
automotive air-conditioners in
vehicles registered before 1 Jan 95
and domestic refrigerators
• Other CFCs (e.g. CFCs 13, 111,
112, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216,217)• Environment Pollution
Control Act and Environment
Pollution Control (Ozone
Depleting Substances)
Regulations 2000Pollution Control
Department, NEA
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, import licences are granted only for products originating in
countries, which are signatories to the Montre al Protocol.  Imports are prohibited from non-
signatories, in accordance with the obligations under the Montreal Protocol.G/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
Page 5
4. Singapore's import licensing procedures are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of
imports.  They are maintained for the purpose of discharging Singapore's obligations under
international agreements or for health, safety, environmental and national security reasons.
5. The laws, regulations and/ or administrative orders under which the licensing procedures are
maintained are listed in Tables 1 and 2 above.  All import licensing procedures are statutorily required
and published in government gazettes.
While the administration of the licensing system is undertaken by the various licensing
authorities for different products, the designation of products to be subjected to licensing is not left to
administrative discretion.  The latter requires legislative approval. Similarly, legislative approval must
be obtained before the government abolishes the licensing system.
Procedures
6. Under the Chemical Weapons Convention (C WC), Singapore is required to limit the
aggregate amount of Schedule 1 chemicals it produces, acquires, retains, transfers or uses to 1 tonne
per annum.
To meet emergency requirements, Singapore maintains a stockpile scheme for rice, a staple
food of which there is no domestic production.  A special import licensing system applies to rice
imported from all countries.  This system divides rice imports into 2 categories, requiring (i) a
stockpile licence; and (ii) an ordinary licence.  The stockpile licence is aimed at ensuring thatimporters stockpile the stipulated types and minimum quantities of rice in proportion to their total
imports to ensure a consistent and adequate supply for domestic consumption.  Licences for non-
stockpile grades of rice – ordinary licences are issued automatically. The only requirement for
ordinary licences is that applicant is a business entity registered with the Registry of Companies and
Businesses. For licence to import stockpile grade of rice, importers are required to sign a ricestockpile agreement with Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) before IE Singapore, a statutory board
under MTI, issues the licence to import.
I. The list of scheduled chemicals under the CWC is available over the Internet at
http://www.nacwc.gov.sg.
Information regarding rice importation is publishe d in notices issued by IE Singapore.  Copies
of the notices are available at the IE Singapore’s office premises and over the Internet at
http://www.traderegister.gov.sg/rice.html.
II. The aggregate amount of CWC Schedule 1 is applicable on an annual basis.  There is no
maximum quota for the importation of rice.
III. Please refer to paragraph 6 above.
IV. Not applicable.
V. The processing time for licences falls within the period stipulated in Article 3.5(f) of the
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.
VI. Not applicable.
VII. Applications for licences to import CWC Schedule 1 chemicals are approved by the Director,
National Authority (CWC).  Rice licence applications are processed by the IE Singapore.G/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
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VIII-XI.  Not applicable.
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.
Licence applications for artificial sweetening agents, food containing artificial sweetening
agent(s) and irradiated foods must be received by the licensing authority ie AVA, three days in
advance prior to the import so as to ensure that the products meet the stipulated requirements before
the import.
(b) Generally import licences may be granted immediately upon request when applications are
submitted in appropriate and complete forms.  For arms and explosives, radioactive materials andirradiating 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.  Ot herwise the importer has to inform the Centre for
Radiation Protection and request for his dealer’s licence to be updated to include the items to beimported.  An importer of poisons who does not have a licence will have to store the hazardous
substances in the port area temporarily, pending the approval for an import licence.
(c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which applications for licence
and/or importation may be made.
(d)  Consideration of a licence application is effected by a single administrative organ as specified
in the respective legislation, cited paragraph 5 above, that is in response to Question 5.  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.(a) Not applicable.(b) 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 import, make, distribute or exhibit films and videos,  applicant may be a
sole-proprietor, a partnership or a limited company.  There is no minimum paid-up capital
requirement for a limited company unless the applicant is engaged in the video rental
business. If so, it must have at least S$100,000 in paid-up capital;
(ii)  for a licence to deal in or import arms and explosives, applicants must not have criminal
records or adverse security attention .  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 from 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;G/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
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(iv)  for a licence to import hazardous substances, it is preferable that an applicant be a
professional or a senior management staff, w ho has the necessary knowledge of how to safely
handle the hazardous substances, and has passed an oral test conducted by the licensing
authority i.e. the Pollution Control Department of National Environment Agency.  The oraltest covers technical knowledge on the safe handling of the hazardous substances and on the
Environmental Pollution Control Act and its Regulations;
(v)  for a licence to deal in controlled tele communications equipment, applicants should have
knowledge of their products and IDA-type approval requirements in order to advise and guide
consumers;  applicant for licence must be a company incorporated or a business registered
with the Registry of Companies and Businesses in 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;
(viii)  only certain institutions or organisations such as zoos, museums and research
institutions may apply for a licence to import certain CITES endangered species, mainly
species listed in CITES Appendix I;
(ix)  only licensed personnel with relevant qualification and experience may import veterinary
biologics.  Similarly, importers of hen eggs and livestock must be licensed by the AVA.  A
key criterion for the issuance of the dealer’s licence for both veterinary biologics, and hen
eggs and livestock is the suitability of the facilities/ premises;
(x)  applicants for licences to import Category 1 cosmetics products must be registered with
the Registry of Companies and Businesses;  and
(xi)  only companies registered in Singapore are eligible to apply for licences to import
ozone-depleting substances.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. Information on import procedures and applications is available over the Internet.  The
following information is required in applications  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/ make and country of origin.  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 substances safely;  a layout plan to show areas for storing
hazardous substances;  and an emergency action plan to indicate how a chemical release from
the storage area will be contained, detoxified and cleaned up;
(ii)  for applications to import artificial sweetening agents, a statement issued by the importer
indicating the intended usage and the name and address of the users 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.G/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
Page 8
(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 and specially formulated sports food are the only food products
where artificial sweetening agents can be used.  The product must bear a label with thefollowing words, ‘This (here state the name of the food) contains the artificial sweetening
agent, (here state the name of the artificial sweetening agent)’;
(iv)  for applications to import irradiated food, certification that the ionizing radiation has
been conducted in accordance with the Codex Recommended International Code of Practice
for the Operation of Radiation Facilities Used for Treatment of Foods, and that such irradiated
food meets the Codex General Standards for Irradiated Foods.  The irradiated food must alsobear a label with the following words (of not less than 3mm height), 'TREATED WITH
IONIZING IRRADIATION’ or ‘IRRADIATED (h ere insert the name of the food)’;
(v)  for applications to deal in rice, telecommunication equipment, arms and explosives,
documents on the technical specifications of the products.  In addition, applicants for licencesto deal in arms and explosives must ensure the following:
- Commercial and Industrial Security Co rporation (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 Singa pore currency note or coin, visuals or samples of
the merchandise/product;
(viii)  for medicines, poisons and drugs, clinical data, manufacturing quality control
procedures and Free Sale Certificates, to ascertain the safety, efficacy and quality of theproducts.  A Free Sale Certificate or Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product is not necessary if
applicants intend to submit their registration dossier through a full evaluation process;
(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 andtest 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 three months and for one consignment only;  phytosanitary
certificates or similar official statement issued not more than 14 days prior to date of shipmentof 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 ozone-depleting substances, a licence (for prior approval) must first be obtained from
NEA to import ozone-depleting substances into Singapore.  During importation, bill of ladingand invoices must be submitted to NEA for approval.G/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
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11. Upon actual importation, importers are required to make an Inward Declaration showing the
correct description and quantities of each consignment made electronically through the TradeNet
system.  Shipping documents such as the Bill of  Lading/ Airway Bill and invoice are also required.
Additional requirements for the importation of certain products include:
(i)  for publications, the language of the publications has to be specified;(ii)  for arms and explosives, imports must be produced for inspection at the Arms and
Explosives Branch immediately after customs clearance;
(iii)  for meat and meat products, imports should be shipped directly and must be derived from
sources approved by the licensing authority i.e. the AVA.  They must be accompanied by a
veterinary health certificate issued by the approved sources in the exporting country and
inspected upon importation;
(iv)  for live animals/birds, products of live animals/birds and veterinary biologics,  importers
are required to show the import permits issued by the AVA together with relevant documents
(such as veterinary health certificate, QC report) from the exporting country.  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 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.
(vi)  for selected fish or fish products, additional product quality and quarantine requirements
apply.  All ornamental fish imported must be healthy and free from any clinical signs of
disease at the time of import;
(vii)  in addition to the requirements set out in (iii) to (vi) above, the date and time of arrival
of each consignment must be indicated.
12. Licensing fees are required for the following classes of licences:(i) Product licences
- A permit fee of S$18 per consignment of plants, live insects, 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$4.20 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 per consignment applies for fish and fish products as well as fresh
fruits and vegetables;
- a permit fee of S$170 per consignment of live animals imported for commercial
purposes;  S$55 per consignment of live birds and eggs imported for commercialG/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
Page 10
purposes;  S$50 per permit for pet animals/birds; and S$18 per permit for veterinary
biologics.  The import licences for the above products are valid for 30 days;  extension
may be granted with valid reason given by the importers;
- a 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.  For
elephant tusks, the fees are S$1 per kg or part thereof, subject to a minimum of S$60 per
consignment.  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;
- a licence fee of S$16 per consignment applies to arms and explosives;
- a import/export  licence fee of S$60 per consignment of controlled drugs;
- a 3-year import licence fee of $100 for Western drugs;
- a licence fee of $60 per consignment of Western drugs in the case of parallel imports;
- a licence fee of S$15 for Category 1 cosmetic products, licence to be renewed annually;
- an annual licence fee of $800 for cosmetics, with an application fee of S$20.
(ii) Dealers’ licences
- an annual licence fee of S$378 for fresh fruit and vegetables;
- a 2-year licence fee ranging from S$300 - S$3,700 for arms and explosives;
- an annual licence fee of S$84 for meat and fish products;
- an annual licence fee of S$350 for ornamental fish;
- an annual licence fee of S$33 for veterinary biologics;
- an annual licence fee at  S$260 or a biennial licence at  S$520 for hazardous substances;
- an annual licence fee of S$15 for rice;
- an annual licence fee of S$180  for operations of fruit/jackpot machines, renewable at
S$30 per annum;
- a 5-year licence fee of S$50 for dealing in IDA type approved and generally approved
equipment, and an annual licence fee of S$400 for dealing in other types of
telecommunication equipment.  For Dealer’s Individual Licence, an annual licence fee of
S$400 for dealing in IDA type approved/generally approved equipment and non-type
approved telecommunication equipment for export/re-export purposes.
- a biennial licence fee of S$1,500 and a banker's guarantee of S$20,000 per licence to
import, make, distribute or exhibit films and videos;G/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
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- a banker’s guarantee of S$200, 000 for publishers to circulate offshore newspapers in
Singapore;
- fees for 5-year and 3-year licences for medicines are S$540 and S$360 respectively;  the
fee for a 1-year licence for Category 1 cosmetics is S$800 with an application fee ofS$20. Licence to be renewed annually,  and fees for a 3-year and 1-year import  licence
for Chinese proprietary medicines are S$1,000 and S$365 respectively;  fees for
preparations containing medicinal poisons is $360;
- an annual licence fee of  S$115 for licence to import artificial sweetening agent and food
containing artificial sweetening agents, and annual fee of $95 to import irradiated foods;
- an annual licence fee of S$180 to manufacture, possess for sale or deal in irradiating
apparatus or radioactive materials;  an annual fee of S$ 130 to keep or possess
radioactive materials or irradiating apparatus other than for sale;  an annual fee of S$120
to 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$260 or a biennial fee of S$520 for the importation of ozone-
depleting substances
13. There are no deposit or advance payment requirements associated with the issue of licences.Conditions of licensing
14. The period of the validity of a dealer’s licence is as specified in paragraph 12 above, that is in
response to Question 12.  The approved product licences cease to be valid once the importation of theconcerned products is effected.
The validity of these licences may be extended by renewal.
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of licence or a portion of it.16. Licences are not transferable between importers.17.(a) Not applicable.(b) In addition to the requirements listed in paragraphs 10 and 11 above, that are in response to
Questions 10 and 11, the following conditions are applicable:
(i)  applicants dealing in ornamental fish import or export activities must have government
approved premises with facilities for holding, quarantining, and packing of ornamental fish;
(ii)  applicants dealing in fruit/ jackpot machines must ensure that these machines are to be
used in licensed clubs;
(iii)  applications to deal in radioactive mate rials 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 thatG/LIC/N/3/SGP/4
Page 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 that may be possessed, and another licence
for the use, handling and transport of radioactive materials;
- if the importer is the end-user of irradiating apparatus, the company must have a
licence for each machine it possesses.
Other procedural requirements
18. No.
19. Not applicable, as only Singapore-registered importers are able to obtain licences.
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