All goods, inclusive of new articles, personal effects, souvenirs, gifts, food preparations and dutiable products, imported by parcel post through ordinary mail or speedpost are subject to clearance by officers of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at the Singapore Post Centre (SPC). The ICA Office at SPC is located at #01-04, 10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600 (next to Paya Lebar MRT station).
Dutiable goods include the following:
- Intoxicating liquors, including wine, beer, ale, stout and porter.
- Tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars.
Please click here to see the duty rates of the various dutiable goods.
There is a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) levied on all goods, inclusive of new articles, personal effects, souvenirs, gifts, food preparations and dutiable products, imported into Singapore. GST is calculated based on the CIF value of the goods plus all duties payable. If the invoice value of goods does not include insurance and freight charges, the postage charge paid for the goods is to be taken as freight and insurance charges, and is to be added to the invoice value of such invoice for calculation of GST payable.
GST relief is granted on goods, inclusive of new articles, personal effects, souvenirs, gifts and food preparations but excluding dutiable products, imported by post to a total value not exceeding $400. Where the value exceeds $400, the entire sum would be subject to GST.
Parcels containing dutiable goods will be detained by ICA at SPC. The addressee will be informed of the status of the parcel by a Letter of Notification from Singapore Post (SP). The parcels will be released after examination by ICA at SPC in the presence of the addressee or his representative, and on payment of duty and GST.
Parcels containing non-dutiable and non-controlled goods of a total value not exceeding $400 are granted GST relief. Such parcels are released directly to SP for delivery to the addressees. Please arrange to have the invoice attached to the parcel to facilitate clearance.
Parcels containing non-dutiable and non-controlled goods above $400 in value are subject to payment of GST. ICA requires the invoices or confirmation slips (with values of goods stated), printed from the website of the Internet Portal upon confirmation of transactions, to compute the GST payable on the parcels.
If the parcel is imported with an invoice attached, SP will deliver the parcel to the addressee and collect the GST upon delivery.
If the parcel is imported without any invoice attached to it at the time of arrival, the addressee upon notification by SP could fax the supplier's invoice or confirmation slip from the Internet Portal (with values of goods stated) to ICA at SPC for computation of GST. The addressee may call at SPC to collect the parcels or appoint SP to act on his/her behalf for delivery of the parcel and payment of GST. A service fee is payable to SP for the service rendered.
Import of controlled goods (eg. video tapes, laser discs and publications) requires the approval from the relevant Controlling Authority (CA).
Parcels containing controlled goods of a value not exceeding $400 do not attract GST. These will be sent to the relevant CA for approval of importation. The addressee will receive a Letter of Notification informing him to collect the parcel direct from the CA.
Parcels containing controlled goods where the declared value exceeds $400 are subject to payment of GST. The respective invoice or Confirmation slip from internet portal (with values of goods stated) is required for ICA to compute the amount of GST payable.
Parcels requiring approval from relevant CA will be detained by ICA at SPC. The addressee will be notified to obtain an import licence from the CA concerned. Upon presentation of the licence and payment of GST to ICA at SPC, the parcel will be released.
Payment of duties and GST at the ICA counter at SPC can be made by NETS, CashCard, Visa/Master or IBG. Addressee may take out a TradeNet® Permit for clearance of goods.
If parcels are delivered by SP, payment could be made by GIRO, Cash, or Cheque. To pay by GIRO, the addressee must first sign up for the SP GIRO scheme.
Please click on the following links to see the list of controlled or prohibited goods in Singapore:
If you need further information, please contact:
Duty Officer (ICA Parcel Post)
Tel No: (65) 6845 6679
Business hours at Singapore Post Centre (SPC)
Monday to Friday: 8.30 am - 5.30 pm
Saturday: 8.30 am - 1.30 pm
Singapore Customs Call Centre
Tel No: (65) 6355 2000
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