Singapore
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Australia and Singapore have always enjoyed a good trade relationship, with Singapore being Australia's largest trade and investment partner in ASEAN (AU$27 billion in two-way trade in 2020). This relationship first came into force in 2003 in the form of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), and was further strengthened by the Australia-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (DEA) in 2020. Under SAFTA, most of the tariffs on Singapore’s major Australian imports were removed, and this further strengthened trade and investment links between the two countries.
If you wish to import Australian goods into Singapore, there is a list of requirements that you must take note. These range from knowing what is prohibited to excise duty on alcoholic beverages.
There are several requirements for importing goods to Singapore. The Customs Act, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, and the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act regulate all goods that are imported into Singapore. The requirements are as listed:
Prior to importing goods into Singapore from Australia, importers must register for a UEN with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). After registration, the importer must activate his or her Customs Account via TradeNet.
The next step is to check if the goods you want to import fall under the controlled or prohibited goods category. You can search for these products by using their HS codes. If special licenses are required, you will have to apply for them.
Another necessary step for importing goods to Singapore is to open an Inter-Bank GIRO (IBG) account with the Singapore Customs. With this account, you can make payments of duty fees and taxes, as well as additional charges directly to IRAS. You must apply for an IBG if you don't have one.
If you are importing dutiable goods, you will need to guarantee that they are safe. Guarantees from a bank or finance company, as well as insurance bonds, are acceptable types of security.
To import goods into Singapore, a permit is required. You’ll need to register with the ACRA or obtain a UEN from the relevant UEN agency, and activate your Customs account. After that, you can submit your permit application via TradeNet.
The final step is to prepare documents for cargo clearance. The documents you will need include the import permit, packing list, invoice, and Bill of Lading/Air Waybill.
It is prohibited to import the following products into Singapore.
Singapore is an evolving economic hub that provides Australian exporters with lucrative opportunities to do business. The country has a thriving food service sector that allows many Australian companies to import food products into Singapore
The most common imports from Australia include the following products:
DHL Express is a trusted and reliable logistics partner for importing goods into Singapore. The duration of importing a parcel from Australia to Singapore is dependent on the type of freight service used. Here are some of the services available and their average shipping times.
If you’re looking for the cheapest shipping fee when sending parcels from Australia to Singapore, you must be mindful of the courier’s reliability. Here at DHL Express, our competitive pricing is supported by our ability to deliver quickly, with utmost professionalism and quality. You will be putting your money where is worth the most.
DHL Express is the leader of international express delivery. We have a selection of shipment tools that can help you import from Australia easily. When you work with a third-party logistics company that provides excellent and reliable shipping services, you can rest assured that your customers will always have a positive experience. Sign up for a business account today.
