How to import food to Singapore

30 October 2026 4 Mins Read

Singapore is renowned for its diverse food culture and strong demand for international food products. From seafood and dairy products to specialty snacks and premium ingredients, imported food plays an important role in meeting consumer demand across the country.

For businesses looking to enter Singapore's food market, understanding the country's import regulations, permits, and documentation requirements is essential. In this guide, we'll walk you through the key steps involved in importing food into Singapore.

REGISTER FOR A DHL BUSINESS ACCOUNT TO ENJOY UP TO 70% OFF* ON INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

OPEN A BUSINESS ACCOUNT

Why import food into Singapore?

Singapore imports more than 90% of its food supply, making international trade essential to the country's food security and supply resilience.

As a result, businesses worldwide have opportunities to supply a wide range of food products to Singapore's highly regulated and import-dependent market.

However, food imports must comply with requirements set by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Singapore Customs. Understanding the necessary licences, permits, and documentation can help businesses avoid delays and ensure smooth customs clearance.

In this guide, we'll walk through the key steps to importing food into Singapore.

Steps to Import Food into Singapore

1. Determine the classification of the food products

Before importing food into Singapore, businesses should first determine how their products are classified by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). SFA's General Classification of Food & Food Products helps importers identify the requirements, permits, and controls that apply to specific food categories.

Food product classifications used by SFA are more detailed than Harmonized System (HS) codes and are designed specifically for food regulation and import control purposes.

Importers should also verify whether their products are permitted for import into Singapore, as certain food items may be restricted or prohibited. Import requirements can vary depending on the type of product and its country of origin.

Examples of products subject to additional controls may include:

Meat and poultry products
Seafood and fish products
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Dairy products
Foods containing regulated ingredients or additives

Before shipment, businesses should ensure that all food ingredients, additives, and related products comply with SFA's regulatory requirements.

2. Adhere to guidelines and steps by SFA

To safely and efficiently import food into Singapore, businesses also have to adhere to other regulations mandated by Singapore Food Agency (SFA) such as:

Apply for a trader's licence or register: Upon obtaining a Unique Entity Number (UEN) through the registration with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), businesses can then apply for a trader’s licence based on the type of food product they are importing, whether that’s processed food, frozen food or meat. This is done through the GoBusiness Portal. This licencse is mandatory and must be renewed every year.
Comply with relevant food legislation: All food imports must comply with relevant food legislation governed by SFA, like the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act, for example.
Adhere to SFA's labelling requirements: If importing pre-packaged food, businesses must adhere to SFA's labelling requirements before they can be imported, advertised, manufactured, sold, consigned or delivered.
Apply for an import permit through TradeNet: After complying with all pre-import requirements, businesses must apply for an import permit through TradeNet with other relevant documents, such as the bill of lading and commercial invoice.
Additional permits: If businesses wish to import specific fish species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna (CITES) into Singapore, such as sturgeon or seahorse, they are required to obtain CITES import permits from the SFA. Additionally, they must obtain CITES export permits from the country of export.

Confirmation of approval and import fees: Upon successful approval by SFA, you will be issued a Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP). For every consignment of food imported, you will need to pay import fees.
Book an inspection for the food products upon arrival in Singapore: Imported food products may be subject to routine food safety inspection upon arrival in Singapore, including laboratory analysis to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.

3. Key documents required

Businesses should prepare all supporting documents before submitting their import permit application:

Document	What it's used for
Commercial invoice	Used by customs authorities to assess the shipment and verify the value, origin, and description of the goods.
Packing List	Provides a detailed breakdown of the shipment contents to support inspections and customs clearance.
Airway Bill / Bill of Lading	Serves as the transport document accompanying the shipment.
SFA Licence	Demonstrates that the importer is authorised to import regulated food products.
Health Certificate	Confirms that certain food products meet the exporting country's health and safety requirements.
Import Permit	Authorises the food products to be imported into Singapore.
CITES Permit	Required for protected wildlife or fish species subject to international trade controls.

Providing complete and accurate documentation can help avoid customs delays and facilitate smoother clearance procedures.

Customs clearance procedures can be time-consuming and may cause delays in the delivery of food products. This can lead to spoilage, decreased shelf life, and ultimately, reduced quality – that’s why it’s of paramount importance that all customs laws and regulations are followed strictly, especially when it comes to shipping food.