Individual Permit: Export, Transhipment and Transit

A strategic goods permit (prefixed with either XO or XP) is required for the export, transhipment or transit of strategic goods and related technology.

You do not need a strategic goods permit for the transhipment and transit of strategic goods not listed in the Fourth and Fifth Schedules to the Strategic Goods (Control) Regulations (SGCR) if you fulfil the following exemption criteria:

Activity	Criteria for Permit Exemption
Transhipment of strategic goods not listed in the Fourth Schedule to the SGCR	1. Goods are taken into free trade zone(s) [FTZ(s)] immediately after being brought into Singapore; 2. Goods remain in an FTZ at all times or in 2 or more FTZs except when being transferred, before they are brought out of Singapore; and 3. Goods remain in FTZ(s) for no more than - 45 days, if brought in by sea - 21 days, if brought in by air Note: The transport mode by which the goods first enter Singapore will determine the applicable period to remain in the FTZ(s).
Transit of strategic goods not listed in the Fifth Schedule to the SGCR	Goods remain in transit for no more than - 45 days, if brought in by sea - 21 days, if brought in by air

Activity

Criteria for Permit Exemption

Transhipment of strategic goods not listed in the Fourth Schedule to the SGCR

1. Goods are taken into free trade zone(s) [FTZ(s)] immediately after being brought into Singapore;

2. Goods remain in an FTZ at all times or in 2 or more FTZs except when being transferred, before they are brought out of Singapore; and

3. Goods remain in FTZ(s) for no more than

- 45 days, if brought in by sea
- 21 days, if brought in by air

Note: The transport mode by which the goods first enter Singapore will determine the applicable period to remain in the FTZ(s).

Transit of strategic goods not listed in the Fifth Schedule to the SGCR

Goods remain in transit for no more than
- 45 days, if brought in by sea
- 21 days, if brought in by air

The authorities have the powers to ask for documents or notifications even if a strategic goods permit is not required.

Catch-all Provision

You will have to obtain an Individual Permit if you:

Have been notified by an authorised officer
Know; or have reasonable grounds to suspect that

the goods and technology are intended or likely to be used, wholly or in part, for or in connection with the:


- Development; - Production; - Handling; - Operation; - Maintenance; - Storage; - Detection; - Identification; or - Dissemination of any nuclear, chemical or biological weapon	OR	-Development; - Production; - Maintenance; or - Storage of missiles capable of delivering any nuclear, chemical or biological weapons

The “catch-all” provision applies even if the goods are not strategic goods or strategic goods technology.

Application for Individual Permits

If you are transacting in strategic goods, you should apply for an individual permit at least 5 working days:

before loading the goods onto the conveyance to be brought out of Singapore for every export, re-export or transhipment; and
before the arrival of the conveyance on which the goods are to be brought in transit through Singapore

Most applications will be processed within 5 working days, after we have received the completed application forms and supporting documents. However, processing time may vary depending on the nature of the items, destination or party involved in the transaction. You should submit your application in advance to avoid any shipment delay.

Contact Us

You may contact us to clarify on the strategic goods permit processing requirements and other matters.

Email: customs_stgc@customs.gov.sg