Under Singapore laws, arriving travellers need to pay taxes to bring in cigarettes or other tobacco products, liquor products or other taxable goods exceeding the duty-free concession and Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief.
You must declare your goods to the checking officer at the Red Channel.
You can also proceed to pay taxes at Singapore Customs Tax Payment office or use the self-service Tax Payment Kiosks at Changi Airport Terminal 1, 2 and 3 and Budget Terminal. We accept payment by MasterCard, VISA, NETS and CashCard. For more information on use of the Tax Payment Kiosks, please click here.
If you are arriving by air, sea, bus/coach and rail, you will see the Red Channel signs above or at the examination counters in the Arrival Hall at the respective checkpoints. If you are arriving by car, you will see the Red Channel directional sign located along the road after immigration clearance.
The Red Channel and the examination counters are manned by Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA). ICA officers conduct checks on person, baggage and vehicles entering Singapore, and may refer trade and customs matters to Singapore Customs for follow-up.
Singapore Customs officers are stationed at the following major checkpoints:
- Changi Airport Terminal 1
- Changi Airport Terminal 2
- Changi Airport Terminal 3
- Budget Terminal
- Singapore Cruise Centre
- Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
- Tuas Checkpoint
- Woodlands Checkpoint
It is your responsibility to make an accurate and complete declaration of all goods exceeding your duty-free concession and GST relief in your possession, including goods you are carrying for or on behalf of other persons. For more information on Customs clearance procedure, please click here.
If you did not make a declaration at the Red Channel or pay the taxes due, you can be prosecuted in court and fined up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to three years. For more information on Customs offences, please click here.
If you are unsure of the duty-free concession or GST relief, please enquire at the Red Channel or Singapore Customs Tax Payment office. For more information on duty-free allowance and GST relief, please click here.