You can apply for an Import Certificate (IC) if the goods to be imported into Singapore are subject to export control in the exporting country or the IC is requested by the exporting country. The "Application for an Import Certificate" can be downloaded from here (DOC 336 KB).

Please submit your Application in triplicate (3 original copies bearing the original signature of the applicant) to Singapore Customs. At the point of submission, you are required to pay a processing fee of S$10 payable via NETS, cash card or credit card.


How to Complete the IC Application Form

1. Fill in the applicant's full name, address, telephone/fax number and email address.
2. If you do not have a Central Registration Number, you must apply for one through the Online Business Licensing Service.
3. Fill in the exporter's full name and address.
4. Fill in the end-user's full name and address.
5. Indicate whether the goods are for use in Singapore or for re-export. If the goods are for re-export, state the country/countries where the goods will be re-exported to.
6. A maximum of 5 items can be filled in on one page. Use another page to fill in the items if there is insufficient space. A maximum of 10 items is permitted in one set of IC.
7. Description of goods refers to the exact name of the items. The description must match the particulars in the end-user's and foreign exporter's declarations, including brand, model number and technical specifications.
8. The HS codes are obtainable from the Singapore Trade Classification, Customs and Excise Duties, 2007 publication. The full 8-digit HS Code should be given.
9. For each item, state the quantity in numbers and the Unit of Quantity to be imported, eg. 12 TONNES, 5 PIECES, etc.
10. For each item, state the CIF value in S$.
11. The Declaration must be signed by an authorised person, giving his full name and designation.
12. When the IC is approved, it will be signed by an authorised Customs officer on behalf of Singapore Customs. An IC number and the validity period will be indicated on the form.
13. Refer to How to Apply for Delivery Verification.

Supporting Documents

Your IC application must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:

1. A letter of declaration from the exporter stating that an IC is required (Sample format here - DOC 22KB or PDF 12KB format).
2. If the end-user is a local party, a declaration from him stating that the goods to be imported are for his own use. (Sample format here - DOC 22KB  or PDF 11KB format).
3. If the end-user is a foreign party, an End-User Statement from him (Sample format here - DOC 37KB or PDF 13KB format) You also have to provide a copy of the export license (and the corresponding translation in English) from the exporter's Government Authority granting approval for the re-export of the goods from Singapore to the country of re- export, or a document from the Government authority stating that the goods are not subject to re-export control by the exporting country.
4. Brochures, catalogues, pictures, technical specifications or any other documents describing the items to be imported.

Documents can be submitted by email to customs_stgc@customs.gov.sg or by fax to (65) 6337 5212.

Submission of documents by courier can be dropped off at Box No. 3 Strategic Goods Control Branch located on 7th Floor, Revenue House.

Approval of IC
Once the application is approved, Singapore Customs will retain one copy of the IC and return the other two copies to you. You are to retain a copy for your own record and forward one copy of the IC to your exporter in the exporting country immediately.


Conditions of Import

If Singapore Customs had issued an IC to you, you must not:

1. import those goods or cause or permit them to be imported into any country other than Singapore;
2. dispose of those goods before they have been imported into Singapore; or
3. export those goods or cause or permit them to be exported from Singapore after they have been imported into Singapore, except with the written approval of Singapore Customs.

Validity of IC

The approved IC is valid for one (1) year from the date of issue. This means that you must import the goods as stated in the IC into Singapore within one year.

You may, before expiry of the IC, apply to Singapore Customs for an extension of the validity period. You have to apply for the extension of the validity period at least 14 days before the expiry date of the IC. Any extension granted will be for a period not exceeding one (1) more year. In this case, you must import the goods within the period of the extension granted by Singapore Customs.


Permit Declaration Procedures for Import of Goods

When the goods arrive in Singapore, you must submit an import permit application to Singapore Customs through TradeNet®. For each item in the permit application, you must state the ICDV number (eg. ICDV/010/2007) in the CA/SC Product Code field to indicate that you are submitting an ICDV permit for processing. Under the field CA/SC Product Quantity-UOM, you have to enter the quantity and unit as stated in the IC.

If the items imported in one consignment are covered by different ICs, you can declare them under a single import permit application but you must state all the different IC numbers involved for each item. However, you are not allowed to combine ICDV items with non-ICDV items in the same import permit application.

Immediately after submitting your permit declaration, you will have to fax a copy of the IC, Bill of Lading, Invoice and Packing List to Singapore Customs (fax no 6337 5212). Indicate the Unique Reference No.of your permit declaration on the front page.


Re-export of Goods

You must first obtain approval from Singapore Customs before re-exporting goods that have been imported into Singapore under an IC.

If in the IC issued to you, you have indicated that the goods are for re-export, you can directly submit your export permit declaration. The declaration procedure for the export permit is the same as that for declaring the import permit for ICDV items.

If you have not indicated in the IC issued to you that the goods are for re-export and you subsequently wish to re-export the goods, you must produce:

1. An End User Statement from the foreign end-user. (Sample format here - DOC 37KB or PDF 13KB format).
2. A copy of the export licence (and the corresponding translation in English) from the exporter's Government Authority granting approval for the re-export of the goods from Singapore to the country of re-export, or a document from the Government authority stating that the goods are not subject to re-export control by the exporting country.
3. When Singapore Customs is satisfied with the documents submitted, you may then submit the export permit application for approval through TradeNet® before you re-export the goods.

Free Trade Zone

If goods imported under the IC were to remain in the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) pending re-export, you are still required to obtain the import permit and the export permit from Singapore Customs.


Notification of Changes and Transfer of Ownership

You are not allowed to make any amendments upon the approved IC that has been issued to you. If at any time after the issue of an IC, a change occurs in any representation, statement, declaration or undertaking in or accompanying the application for the IC, you should immediately notify Singapore Customs giving particulars of the change in writing.

If the goods that were imported under an IC are to be sold or transferred to another person, the end-user must, within 14 days of such a transfer, inform Singapore Customs in writing of the change in end-user. The new end-user of the goods must also submit a declaration stating that the goods are for their own use only.


Cancellation

Under Regulation 34(1) of the Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations, any unused Import Certificate (IC) must be returned to Singapore Customs for cancellation. Any person who contravenes this Regulation shall be guilty of an offence. If the goods subject to an IC are not imported, you also have to return the IC to Singapore Customs for cancellation. If you have not imported the goods before the expiry period of the IC, and no extension has been required or granted, you should return the IC to Singapore Customs for cancellation at least 14 days before the expiry date of the IC.


Inspections

Singapore Customs reserves the right to conduct inspections on the goods imported under an IC after you have imported the goods into Singapore. You should extend your fullest co-operation to the officers who are conducting these checks.


Penalties

If you contravene any of the conditions of the IC issued to you, or make a false declaration in any material particular, you will be guilty of an offence and will be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or three times the value of the goods (whichever is greater); or to imprisonment of up to 12 months; or to both such fine and imprisonment. Heavier penalties will be imposed for second and subsequent offences.

Related links:

Delivery Verification.