Singapore Customs is generally efficient and straightforward. Full descriptive inventory and passport copy required. Door-to-door sea freight available. Chewing gum is prohibited. Strict controls on medications. Vandalism-related items prohibited.
✈ Air freight to Singapore: 4-8 working days, subject to space and flight availability with the carriers from UK door collection • ⚓ Sea freight: 6-10 weeks door-to-door (subject to your destination) • Price confirmed before we collect • Freephone 0800 096 38 39
These items are not automatically refused but face restrictions, duties, inspections or require specific documentation. Check before you pack.
Prohibited for import or sale in Singapore. No exceptions.
Controlled substances require Health Sciences Authority (HSA) approval. Many medications restricted.
Duty-free allowances apply. Above allowances subject to significant duties.
Require phytosanitary certificate from National Parks Board (NParks).
Many food items require Singapore Food Agency (SFA) approval before import.
Must comply with IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority) standards.
Above SGD $20,000 must be declared.
Strictly prohibited for import.
The following items are prohibited on all services — air freight, sea freight and door-to-door (subject to your destination). Do not pack them. Items found during inspection will be confiscated, and you may face penalties.
Customs clearance at destination is your responsibility as sender — who must also be the receiver for personal effects classification. Have these documents ready before we collect.
If customs or inspection issues arise at the destination — including holds, queries or inspections — you must respond promptly. Failure to respond, or submission of incorrect documentation, will result in storage charges accumulating at the destination warehouse at your cost.
You are liable for storage, inspection fees and any duties that arise where:
If you are unsure about any item, its declared value, or the documentation required for your destination — call us before you pack. We would rather spend ten minutes on the phone with you than have your shipment held at customs for two weeks while fees accumulate.
After more than two decades on this route, we know exactly what causes shipments to be held, delayed or refused at Singapore customs. These are the practical tips that make the difference.
Singapore Customs is efficient but zero-tolerance on prohibited items. Declare everything accurately.
The death penalty applies to drug trafficking. Ensure nothing is packed without your knowledge.
Chewing gum — even a single pack — is prohibited. Do not pack it.
Door-to-door sea freight available — 6-10 weeks, city limits delivery. These sea transit times are approximate — the actual time depends on when your LCL container finishes loading and consolidating, the vessel’s sailing date and route, any transhipment hub before the final destination, and customs clearance, so please allow a week or two either side.
Air freight is 4-8 days — Singapore is one of our most efficient customs clearance destinations.
“We collect your luggage ourselves. We check it is properly packed, wrapped and secured before it leaves your door. After 28 years we know what arrives safely and what doesn’t. That happens before the bag is in the air — not after.”
Your UK shipping quote does not include the following destination charges. These are levied by governing bodies and government agencies at the arrival country and are payable by you directly at destination:
These charges are mandatory, set by the destination country’s governing bodies, and outside our control. We will advise you of known destination charges for your route at the time of booking so you can budget accordingly. If you have questions about what to expect at your destination, call us on 0800 096 38 39 before you book.