National Parks Board (NParks)

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. As one of the parties bounded by CITES, Singapore regulates trade in CITES specimens by issuing CITES permits before the shipments enter or leave the country.

You are required to obtain a CITES permit from NParks if you intend to import, export, or re-export CITES specimens for both commercial consignments and personal effects. You must obtain the CITES permit from NParks before the shipment’s arrival and departure dates.

A shipment that is in transit/transhipment before being consigned to a local consignee or importer is considered an import for re-export. You have to apply for a CITES import permit or a CITES re-export permit from NParks if you intend to import or re-export the shipment, respectively.

A customs permit must be obtained through TradeNet before the goods arrive in/depart from Singapore. Please fill in all relevant information, and ensure that CITES Permits (for CITES-listed species) and other supporting documents - such as Air WayBill/Bill of Lading, Invoice and Packing List - are attached when applying for a TradeNet Permit.

In the Description of Goods field, please indicate the following:

• Singapore CITES permit number (applicable to CITES-listed species)

• Common name

• Scientific name

• Quantity and Unit

• Country of origin

• Description of product (e.g., skins of wildlife species)

In the Product Information field, please indicate the following:

• CA/SC Product Code (e.g., CMP2NSATAH for Saiga Antelope (Saiga Tatarica) Horns)

• CA/SC Product Quantity (e.g., 10.00)

• CA/SC Product Unit of Quantity (e.g., KGS)

You may refer to the NParks website for more details.

Plant Health

1. The National Parks Board (NParks), Horticulture and Community Gardening Division, Plant Science and Health Branch, Plant Health Section (PHU) regulates the importation of plants and plant materials.

2. Plants and plant materials include live plants, cuttings, foliage, cut flowers, vegetable seeds, organic (plant-based) fertilisers, potting media (e.g., soil, peat moss, sphagnum moss, coco husk etc.)
   
   Endangered plants and live insects of agricultural importance are species defined under the Convention on CITES.
   
   Importers are required to provide all relevant information to NParks for approval before the importation of plant-based organic fertilisers, live insects and microorganisms are carried out.

3. Please follow the following procedures before importing plants or regulated materials:
   

   • Find out the import health requirements for the plants or plant products that you wish to import. The requirements are in accordance with the Control of Plants (Plant Importation) (Amendment) Rules 2005 and the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1989.

   • Ensure that all imported plants and plant materials must be free from pests that are listed under the First Schedule of the Rules.

   • Obtain an Import Permit from NParks to import plants, plant products, and other regulated materials listed in the Second Schedule, a Phytosanitary Certificate and/or other certification as listed under the import health requirements from the country of origin of the imported plants and regulated materials.

   • Complete post-entry inspections and/or treatment of the imported plants and regulated materials.

   • The exemption of the phytosanitary certificate for plants and plant products imported by travelers from West Malaysia are subject to the following conditions:

     • Not more than three non-CITES plants without potting media per person.

     • A maximum of 250 grams of seeds per person.
       

4. A customs permit must be obtained through TradeNet before the goods arrive in Singapore. The NParks-issued import permit for the importation of plants into Singapore costs $11.00. The purchase can be made via TradeNet.
   

5. The details of the regulated pests, plants, plant products and other regulated articles are listed in the respective Schedules of the Rules. You may reach out to the Plant Science and Health Branch (Plant Biosecurity and Phytosanitary Services Section) at 6316 5153 during office hours or via our feedback form > Feedback: Parks, greenery and plant matters.

Refer to HS/CA Product Code Checker.

Animal and Veterinary Service (Animal)

1. The National Parks Board (NParks)/Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) regulates the import, export and transhipment of live animals, birds, veterinary biologics, animal feed for non-food producing animals and animal products.

2. TradeNet Declaration
   A customs permit must be obtained through TradeNet before the goods arrive in/depart from/tranship at Singapore. When you submit a permit application through TradeNet, you must declare the following information:

   • Description of goods field:

     • The common name

     • The scientific name (for wildlife and birds)

     • The brand name and product name (for animal feed/pet food)

   • Product information fields:

     • CA/SC product code field - e.g. VAF0DG for Dog/Cat Food (containing meat)

     • CA/SC product code quantity field - e.g. 10000

     • CA/SC product code unit of quantity field - e.g. TNE for pet food

   • Refer to HS/CA Product Code Checkerfor the Controlled Product Code List.

   • For more information on permit and licence requirements, please visit AVS website or contact us via our feedback form.

Animal and Veterinary Service (Ornamental Fish)

1. The National Parks Board (NParks)/Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) regulates the import and export of ornamental fish. The import of piranhas into Singapore is prohibited.

2. Please follow the steps below for the import and export of ornamental fish:

   • Obtain a valid Licence to Import or Export Live Fish before the import or export of ornamental fish. You may refer to AVS website for more details.

   • Submit the permit application to NParks/AVS (Ornamental Fish) for approval via TradeNet before the import and export with the following supporting documents:

     • The invoices or packing lists with the HS Code, Product Code, Common Name, Scientific Name, Quantity, Country of Origin, and Total Value of the Consignment

     • Import Health Certificates, where applicable

     • CITES Certificates, where applicable, for endangered species (e.g. Asian Arowana)

3. When applying for the import and export permit, please declare full information in the following fields:

   • CA Licence Number field

   • Description of goods field:

     • The common name

     • The scientific name

   • Product information fields:

     • CA/SC product code

     • CA/SC product code quantity field

     • CA/SC product code unit of quantity field

     • The Premises Code of Importer must be declared in the CA/SC Code 1 field

     • The Import Health Certificate Number must be indicated in the CA/SC Code 2 field, where applicable

   • Please obtain written approval from NParks/AVS prior to the import of genetically-modified fish or transgenic fish.

   • Please comply with all conditions stated in the Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP).
     

4. You may refer to AVS website for more details on the import or export of ornamental fish and the Ornamental Fish Product Code List.