Secure Trade Partnership (STP) & STP-Plus

What are these?

Secure Trade Partnership (STP)

The STP is a voluntary certification programme consistent with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade.

The programme encourages companies to adopt robust security measures using a risk-based approach in their trading operations to improve global supply chain security. By participating in the programme, a company demonstrates commitment and willingness in keeping the supply chain secure.

This programme is open to all supply chain stakeholders directly involved in the international movement of goods, including importers, exporters, manufacturers, freight forwarders, warehouse operators, transporters and terminal operators. It allows flexibility and customisation of security measures based on the company’s business model and its role in the international supply chain.

STP-Plus

A company with higher security measures in place will be eligible for STP-Plus. It will also receive additional facilitation through the Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) with our partners.

An MRA is a formal document signed between 2 customs administrations where both national supply chain security programmes are recognised and accepted between the signing parties. An MRA with a partner means our security requirements and validation process of STP is consistent with the partner’s programme. Hence, the certified status of a STP-Plus company will also be recognised by the MRA partner.

Benefits

Companies with robust security measures will benefit from increased visibility of goods in the supply chain, reduction in pilferages and greater efficiency in their supply chain management.

In addition, STP-Plus certified companies will enjoy these benefits:

Cargo is less likely to be inspected locally
Recognised as a lower risk company
Reduced inspection or expedited clearance if its certified status is also recognised by other partners through a mutual recognition arrangement
A single point of contact from Singapore Customs will be provided
Recognised as a known consignor under the Regulated Air Cargo Agent Regime

MRA Partners

Singapore Customs has signed and operationalised MRAs with:

Exports from an STP-Plus certified company to these MRA partners will be recognised as being of lower risk and can enjoy a higher level of facilitation.

Singapore Customs continues to engage like-minded customs administrations to expand our list of MRA partners, and bring about greater benefits to the trading community.

Please refer to the Factsheet on Mutual Recognition for more details on the procedures to enjoy the benefits under the MRAs.

STP and STP-Plus Certified Companies

How to Qualify?

To qualify for the STP, the company must:

Have a valid Customs Account
Have good compliance records with Singapore Customs
Undergo TradeFIRST assessment and meet all the mandatory criteria while attaining the minimum “Intermediate” and “Premium” bands to qualify for the STP and STP-Plus certifications respectively

Click here for the Handbook on Secure Trade Partnership

How to Apply?

Step 1: Complete the TradeFIRST Self-Assessment Checklist and relevant Annexes.

Step 2: Prepare these additional supporting documents:

Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority BizFile Report
Audited financial statements for the past 3 years
Relevant security certifications if any (for example, Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), ISO 28000)
Other relevant documents as specified in the instructions tab of the TradeFIRST Self-Assessment Checklist

Step 3: Complete the Application Form for STP at this link: www.go.gov.sg/stp-application.

Step 4: Submit the checklist and supporting documents to Singapore Customs via email: customs_schemes@customs.gov.sg

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What are the requirements to obtain STP or STP-Plus certification?

To attain the STP certification, a company has to meet the stipulated requirements in the STP guidelines and criteria, and achieve at least an “Intermediate” band under the TradeFIRST assessment. The STP certification may last up to 3 years.

For the STP-Plus certification, a company must meet all the stipulated requirements in the STP guidelines and criteria, and achieve the “Premium” band under the TradeFIRST assessment. The STP-Plus certification will last for 3 years.

2) Can my company submit one STP application to obtain certifications for two different entities? For example, entities with two different Unique Entity Numbers (UENs) although both entities are under the same company group?

No. These entities are considered different legal entities and therefore require separate applications.

3) Will my company be certified as STP or STP-Plus automatically if we are already certified with other supply chain security standards (for example, Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), ISO 28 000)?

No. The scope and objective of other supply chain standards are different from STP, and hence cannot be a direct substitution. For example, apart from robust security measures, a company must also have good compliance records with Singapore Customs and other relevant government authorities to be certified under the STP programme.