Singapore Customs

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[edit] Singapore Customs


Singapore Customs (Abbreviation: SC; Chinese: 新加坡关税局; Malay: Kastam Singapura;) is a government agency under the Ministry of Finance (Singapore). SC was reconstituted on 1st April 2003, after the Customs and Excise Department and the Trade Facilitation Division and Statistics Audit Unit of International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore) were merged.

SC’s border functions at the land, air and sea checkpoints were also simultaneously transferred to Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). SC became the lead agency on trade facilitation and revenue enforcement matters. It is also responsible for the implementation of customs and trade enforcement measures including those related to Free Trade Agreements and strategic goods.

The headquarters is located in Revenue House along Newton Road. SC exercises GST endorsement for the Tourist Refund Scheme at the following land, air and sea checkpoints:


[edit] Mission & Vision

[edit] Mission

To assure the integrity of the trading system and support Singapore as a global trade hub.

[edit] Vision

To be an active and valuable partner for the trading community.

[edit] Primary roles and functions

SC’s primary roles and functions are:

  • collection of customs revenue;
  • protection of customs revenue by preventing the evasion of duties and taxes;
  • provision of one-stop solutions for trade and customs matters, such as issuance of permits, licenses and Certificates of Origin, and provision of classification and valuation advice;
  • facilitation of trade through simplification of customs procedures and administration of tax suspension schemes;
  • enforcement of trade requirements under the respective Free Trade Agreements (FTAs);
  • regulation of trade in strategic goods and strategic goods technology; and
  • enforcement against the illegal buying and selling of duty-unpaid cigarettes.

[edit] Divisions and Branches

SC is commanded by the Director-General who is assisted by a Deputy Director-General and six Assistant Director-Generals.

The agency operates under five divisions; namely Trade, Controls, Operations & Planning, Intelligence & Investigation and Corporate Development. Under these five divisions are 19 operating branches. The divisions and branches work across various functions, ranging from trade facilitation, contraband enforcement and revenue collection.

[edit] Links