General

What are strategic goods?

Strategic goods refer to goods controlled under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act (SGCA). These are: conventional arms, military equipment and goods relating to the development, production and use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as certain “dual-use” goods that are high technology items that have both civilian and sensitive military applications.

Examples of dual-use goods include: certain chemicals, viruses, lasers, machinery, electronic equipment, high-end computers, telecommunication equipments, propulsion system, space vehicles, aerospace aircraft part and components, marine and naval equipment, parts and components, and cryptographic items.

Q2	What is a weapon of mass destruction (WMD)?
A	A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) generally refers to any nuclear, chemical or biological weapon or device that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death or inflict serious injury on a large scale, such as through the release of chemical agents, biological organisms or nuclear radiation, as well as missiles capable of delivering such weapons.

What is "catch-all" provision?

A Catch-all" provision, refers to goods that are not in the control list of the Strategic Goods (Control) Act but are intended or known or suspected to be used in "relevant activity" as defined in the SGCA to include "the development, production, handling, operation, maintenance, storage, detection, identification or dissemination of any nuclear, chemical or biological weapon; or the development, production, maintenance or storage of missiles which are capable of delivering any such weapons."

A permit is required for the export, transhipment, bringing in transit, electronic transmission, or brokering of goods, software or technology under this activity.

What does brokering mean?

Brokering means arranging or negotiating, or do any act to facilitate the arrangement or negotiation to transfer controlled strategic goods or technology and such an act or contract will or is likely to result in the transfer or transmission of goods and technology from one foreign country to another foreign country. If the brokered goods or technology is subsequently transferred or transmitted through Singapore, then a strategic goods permit is required for the actual transfer or transmission of the goods and technology through Singapore.

Q5	What is intangible transfer of technology (ITT)?
A	Intangible transfer of technology (ITT) refers to the electronic transmission via fax, e-mail or the Internet, of strategic goods technology controlled under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act including technology relating to any relevant activity.

Q6	Does the Strategic Goods (Control) Act apply to import?
A	The Strategic Goods (Control) Act regulates the export/re-export, transhipment, bringing in transit of strategic goods as well as the brokering and intangible transfer of technology. All imports are subject to an import permit prior to the import of the goods into Singapore required under the Regulations of Imports and Exports Act.

Q7	Where can I find the list of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctioned countries?
A	The list of UNSC sanctioned countries is available here.