Enforcement

Singapore Customs conducts regular checks on activities carried out by traders to ensure legitimate transfers of strategic goods and strategic goods technology.

Documentary checks and audits are conducted on past shipments. Customs officers also conduct physical examination of suspicious shipments at entry and exit points and within free trade zones.

Enforcement action is carried out based on specific intelligence and risk profiling. Singapore works closely with foreign governments to share intelligence and exchange information on strategic goods offences, in a manner consistent with our respective laws. Customs takes a serious view of strategic goods offences and will not hesitate to take enforcement actions.

You are reminded to exercise due diligence if you are involved in activities relating to the transfer or brokering of strategic goods or strategic goods technology. To ensure compliance with the Strategic Goods (Control) Act (SGCA) and its subsidiary legislations, you are advised to implement an internal compliance programme as outlined in the Strategic Trade Scheme Handbook.

Members of the public with information on illegal dealings in strategic goods and technology may report to Singapore Customs.

Examples of common offences

• Transfer of strategic goods without a valid strategic goods permit

  • Wrongly assuming that exemption from an export licence in one country means a similar exemption from export licensing requirements in Singapore

• Making a false declaration

  • Declaring the wrong strategic goods product code

• Breach of condition of permit or registration

Highlights of enforcement cases

• Providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization

  
  A Singaporean man was convicted by the United States (US) Court for conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation. He had attempted to purchase arms and ammunitions for this organisation, an offence under Section 6(2)(b)(ii) of the SGCA. Following the US Government’s extradition request, the Singapore court ruled that the offender was to be extradited to face legal action in the US. He was sentenced to 57 months of imprisonment in the US.

• Submission of false permit declarations

  
  A freight forwarding company exported controlled military electronic connectors without a valid strategic goods export permit and instead falsely declared the items as ordinary connectors. The company was prosecuted and fined by the court under Section 5(1)(a) of the SGCA. (Media Release)

• Failure to register as a broker

  
  A company arranged with a foreign government to remove expired and damaged ammunition from its territory to another foreign country for disposal, without first registering as a broker with Singapore Customs. The company paid a composition sum for an offence committed under Section 6(1)(a) of the SGCA.
  
  In another case, 2 individuals were sentenced to 9 and 18 months imprisonment for brokering arms to Syria. (Media Release).

Key Offences

Penalties for offences under the SGCA include seizure and forfeiture of goods, fines and imprisonment. Singapore Customs may offer to compound offences for a sum not exceeding S$10,000 per offence.

Companies which violate any regulatory requirement relating to SGCA may also be liable to enforcement actions under the Customs Act, the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act (RIEA), and the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act (CWPA).

You may view more information on prescribed offences and penalties under the Customs Act, SGCA, RIEA and CWPA.