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Singapore Customs

Depositing Goods in Licensed or Zero-GST Warehouses

Learn how licensed and zero-GST warehouses allow businesses to defer duty and GST until goods are removed for local use.

Last updated 25 March 2026

When you store goods in a licensed or zero-GST warehouse, duty and GST are suspended until the goods are removed for local use. The type of warehouse determines which taxes are deferred.

Licensed Warehouses (for Dutiable Goods)

The Licensed Warehouse (LW) Scheme allows approved companies to store imported dutiable goods for an indefinite period in a designated area licensed by Singapore Customs, known as licensed premises.

Dutiable goods include:

  • Liquor

  • Tobacco

  • Motor vehicles

  • Petroleum

  • Biodiesel blends

Duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) are suspended while the goods are in the licensed warehouse.

You will only pay duty and GST when the goods are removed from the licensed warehouse and enter Singapore’s customs territory for local use or consumption.

This allows businesses to defer tax payments until the goods are needed or sold locally.

Zero-GST Warehouses (for Non-dutiable Goods)

The Zero-GST Warehouse (ZGS) Scheme allows approved companies to store imported non-dutiable goods for an indefinite period in a designated area licensed by Singapore Customs, known as licensed premises.

Goods stored under this scheme include all non-dutiable goods, which may also be placed under IRAS’ GST suspension schemes, Major Exporter Scheme or Import GST Deferment Scheme.

GST is suspended when the goods are in the zero-GST warehouse and becomes payable only when they are removed from the warehouse and enter Singapore’s customs territory for local use.