Singapore Customs

Singapore Customs is a department under the Ministry of Finance and serves as the leading agency for trade facilitation and tax enforcement.

On April 1, 2003, Singapore underwent a restructuring that centralized tax collection and enforcement, trade documentation, trade facilitation, and security functions under one agency to maintain customs and trade laws, establish trust in Singapore's foreign trade system, promote trade, and protect revenue.

We promote Singapore's foreign trade through cooperation with government agencies and businesses, strict regulation, and effective law enforcement.

We play an active role in balancing complex requirements such as trade facilitation, security, and regulatory compliance to strengthen Singapore's position as a trusted global trading hub for foreign trading partners and businesses operating in Singapore.

###History

In 1910, during the Straits Settlements period, the British colonial authorities established the British Government Monopoly Department to control opium and liquor revenues.

In 1938, due to dependence on tariff revenue, it was renamed as the Department of Consumption Tax in 1935 and the Department of Customs and Consumption Tax (CED) in 1938.

The first free trade zone in Singapore was established in 1969.

In 1975, CED became a member of the Customs Cooperation Council (now known as the World Customs Organization).

In 1989, TradeNet was launched, which was the world's first nationwide electronic data exchange system for paperless trade document clearance.

In 1990, the role of CED in trade facilitation became increasingly important. Representing Singapore in negotiations within organizations such as ASEAN, APEC, and the World Trade Organization.

In 1994, with the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, all goods except for four (tobacco, spirits, petroleum, and motor vehicles) were removed from the taxable goods list.

In 2003, CED was restructured as Singapore Customs, responsible for trade facilitation and tax enforcement functions.

In 2007, Singapore Customs launched TradeXchange, an IT platform that connects the trade and logistics industries. Singapore's National Supply Chain Security Plan, the Secure Trade Partnership, has been launched.

In 2010, Singapore Customs celebrated its 100th anniversary.

In 2011, TradeFIRST, a one-stop trade facilitation framework for Singapore Customs, was launched.

In 2013, the Brazilian Ban Rang export checkpoint was established, which was the first checkpoint of Singapore Customs, used to identify and target high-risk export containers for X-ray scanning and inspection.

In 2015, the second inspection station of Singapore Customs, the Blani Export Inspection Station, was put into use. The technology equipped at this inspection station can achieve efficient and accurate non-invasive container inspection.

In 2018, the Network Trade Platform (NTP) was launched, which is a one-stop trade and logistics ecosystem that supports digital work and connects participants across the entire trade value chain in Singapore and abroad.

The new Customs Operations Command Building located on Bulim Drive was opened in 2019, equipped with modern facilities to meet the current and future operational needs of Singapore Customs.