5 Tips to Avoid Getting Stopped at Customs

Doing a shopping haul overseas? Be careful about what you bring back to Singapore

- Sarah Stanley

If you are planning to shop overseas during the June school holidays, it is essential to know how to navigate Customs regulations such as duty-free concession and GST relief.

In late May, nearly 200 travellers were caught at Singapore's land, sea and air checkpoints for failing to declare more than $20,000 in cash, and evading taxes on tobacco and other goods.

These included items such as collectible toys, luxury goods, branded shoes and liquor exceeding the duty-free allowance.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers conduct selective searches at the checkpoints. Travellers who fail to declare items in excess of allowances or make an incorrect declaration must settle their Customs offences with an out-of-court composition sum of up to $5,000 or prosecution in court, depending on the severity of the offence.

Shopping is a quotidian part of travel, especially when chasing hard-to-find items or better prices abroad. To avoid trouble when you return to Singapore, here are some essential tips to keep in mind.

1. Know the value of tax-free goods you can bring in
All goods brought into Singapore are subject to goods and services tax, currently pegged at 9 per cent. However, travellers are granted GST import relief based on the duration of their trip.

For those who have been overseas for 48 hours or more, they are entitled to GST relief of up to $500. For trips under 48 hours, the value is capped at $100.

These amounts apply to the total value of goods bought overseas, excluding liquor and tobacco. Any value above the relief limit is taxable, and travellers are required to declare it upon or prior to arrival.