29-5-2023 (SINGPORE) Singapore Customs and the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) reported on Monday (May 29) that a total of 115 travellers were apprehended at Changi Airport for not declaring dutiable and taxable goods.
These individuals neglected to declare and pay duties and Goods and Services Tax (GST) on items such as cigarettes, tobacco products, liquor exceeding the duty-free allowance, and taxable goods surpassing the GST import relief allowance.
A joint enforcement operation conducted from May 15 to May 21 involved intensified luggage checks for incoming travellers at all Changi Airport terminals.
During the operation, one Singaporean man was fined after being found with five undeclared luxury bags, which he and his girlfriend had purchased overseas. The bags were valued at S$13,825 (US$10,223), and the amount of GST involved was S$1,106. In another case, a Singaporean woman was discovered with an undeclared luxury watch and bag, with a total value of S$5,637. The GST involved amounted to S$450.96.
Furthermore, Singapore Customs and ICA disclosed that a foreigner was found in possession of six packets of undeclared cigarettes wrapped in a “Happy Birthday” foil. Additionally, an employment pass holder falsely declared a bottle of whisky as GST goods using the Customs@SG application to evade paying the excise duty of S$15.14.
Penalties were imposed in all of these instances. The authorities stated that a total of S$18,491 in duty and GST was recovered during the week-long enforcement operation, with the total composition sum or penalty amounting to nearly S$28,000.
Singapore Customs’ senior assistant director-general (checkpoints), Sung Pik Wan, emphasized that it is the responsibility of all arriving travellers to accurately and completely declare all dutiable and taxable items upon arrival. Evading taxes and duties is considered an offense, and travellers may face higher penalties as a result.
Singapore Customs and ICA strongly urged travellers to make advance declarations and payments for their dutiable or GST goods up to three days before their arrival in Singapore. This can be done using the Customs@SG web application. For those who prefer to pay upon arrival, they can do so at the Customs Tax Payment Office located at various checkpoints.
Individuals uncertain about their GST import relief entitlements or duty-free allowances can seek assistance from Singapore Customs officers at the Customs Tax Payment Office.
