# Singapore (SG) **Capital:** Singapore **Currency:** Singapore Dollar (SGD) (SGD) **Population:** 6,110,000 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 734 km² > Singapore is Southeast Asia's leading maritime transshipment and re-export hub and one of the world's largest container ports. As a free port it levies customs duty on only four categories (liquor, tobacco, motor vehicles, petroleum); all other imports carry only the 9 percent GST. Foreign trade is handled electronically through Singapore Customs' National Single Window TradeNet and the Networked Trade Platform. The Port of Singapore (PSA) passed 40 million TEU for the first time in 2024, around 90 percent of it transshipment; the new Tuas Port will lift capacity beyond 65 million TEU. Changi is one of Asia's leading air cargo hubs. A dense network of free trade agreements (ASEAN/ATIGA, CPTPP, RCEP, EU and EFTA FTAs) makes Singapore the preferred distribution centre for the region. Singapore (SG) is a city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, on the shipping route between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and one of the world's foremost trade and logistics hubs. As a free port it charges customs duty on only four categories of goods (liquor, tobacco, motor vehicles and petroleum products); all other imports carry only the 9 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST), levied by Singapore Customs and IRAS. Foreign trade is cleared electronically through the National Single Window TradeNet and the Networked Trade Platform, with permits typically approved in under ten minutes. The Port of Singapore, operated by PSA, is the world's largest container transshipment hub and surpassed 40 million TEU for the first time in 2024, while the new Tuas Port is being built towards a capacity of more than 65 million TEU. Changi Airport, with the Changi Airfreight Centre free trade zone, is among Asia's leading air cargo gateways. A dense network of free trade agreements (ASEAN/ATIGA, CPTPP, RCEP and agreements with the EU and EFTA) and strong export controls under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act underpin Singapore's role as a reliable regional distribution centre. The currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). **Top Import Partners:** CN, MY, US, JP, KR **Top Export Partners:** CN, HK, MY, US, ID **Top Import Goods:** Electronics, Machinery, Mineral oils, Chemicals, Precious metals **Top Export Goods:** Electronics, Mineral oils, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals, Ships **Key Airports:** - [Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/singapore-changi-airport-sin) - [Paya Lebar Air Base (QPG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/paya-lebar-air-base-airport-qpg) - [Seletar Airport (XSP)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/seletar-airport-xsp) - [Sembawang Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/sembawang-air-base-airport-30328) - [Tengah Air Base (TGA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/tengah-air-base-airport-tga) - [Pulau Sudong Military Airstrip](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/pulau-sudong-military-airstrip-airport-36336) - [Brani Naval Base Heliport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/brani-naval-base-heliport-airport-4725) - [Kallang Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kallang-airport-15714) **Key Seaports:** - [Jurong Island (SGJUR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/jurong-island-port-sgjur) - [Keppel - (East Singapore) (SG KEP)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/keppel-east-singapore-port-sg-kep) - [Pulau Bukom (SGPUB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/pulau-bukom-port-sgpub) - [Pulau Sebarok (SGSEB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/pulau-sebarok-port-sgseb) - [Serangoon Harbor](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/serangoon-port-1017) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** GST 9 percent since 1.1.2024 (previously 8) on CIF value plus customs duty/excise, levied by Singapore Customs/IRAS. Imports over 400 SGD are subject to GST. **Customs complexity:** low to medium **Customs system:** Electronic declaration via the National Single Window TradeNet (increasingly the Networked Trade Platform NTP); approval usually within 10 minutes. Singapore is a free port; only 4 product groups are subject to customs duty. **Customs authority:** [Singapore Customs](https://www.customs.gov.sg) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Global transshipment and re-export hub for Southeast Asia **Economic area:** ASEAN (AFTA/ATIGA) **Logistics risk:** low **Dangerous goods relevance:** high **Pharma/cold chain:** high ## FAQ ### What is the import tax (GST) in Singapore? The GST (Goods and Services Tax) has been 9 percent since 1 January 2024 (previously 8 percent) and is levied on the CIF value plus any customs duties and excise duties. It is collected by Singapore Customs or the IRAS. Imports with a value above 400 SGD are subject to GST. ### Do I have to pay customs duties in Singapore? Singapore is a free port. Customs duties apply only to four product groups: spirits, tobacco products, motor vehicles and mineral oil products. All other goods are duty-free and are subject only to the 9 percent GST. ### Which system does Singapore use for customs declarations? Declarations are submitted electronically via the National Single Window TradeNet, which is increasingly being replaced by the Networked Trade Platform (NTP). Approvals are usually granted within ten minutes. The system is operated by Singapore Customs. ### Which goods are prohibited or controlled in Singapore? Prohibited items include chewing gum (except for medical use), e-vaporizers, fireworks and controlled drugs. Controlled items requiring authorization include weapons, pharmaceuticals (HSA), food (SFA) as well as animals and plants (NParks). ### Which free trade agreements matter for Swiss and EU exporters? Switzerland and the EFTA states are covered by the EFTA-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, and the EU by the EUSFTA (in force since 21 November 2019). Singapore is also part of ASEAN/ATIGA, CPTPP and RCEP. Preference proofs are issued via TradeNet. ### Why is Singapore such an important logistics hub? Singapore operates the world's largest container transshipment port (over 40 million TEU in 2024, around 90 percent transshipment) and, with Changi, one of Asia's leading air cargo hubs. Combined with a dense free trade network, it serves as a central distribution hub for Southeast Asia. ### What import GST applies in Singapore? Since 1 January 2024 the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 9 percent (previously 8 percent), charged on the CIF value plus any duty and excise. It is collected by Singapore Customs and IRAS. Imports valued above SGD 400 are subject to GST. ### Do I have to pay customs duty in Singapore? Singapore is a free port. Customs duty applies to only four categories of goods: intoxicating liquors, tobacco products, motor vehicles and petroleum products. All other goods are duty-free and carry only the 9 percent GST. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.customs.gov.sg](https://www.customs.gov.sg) - [https://www.iras.gov.sg](https://www.iras.gov.sg) - [https://www.mpa.gov.sg](https://www.mpa.gov.sg) - [https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/valuation-duties-taxes-and-fees/duties-and-dutiable-goods/](https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/valuation-duties-taxes-and-fees/duties-and-dutiable-goods/) - [https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-(gst)/basics-of-gst/current-gst-rates](https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-(gst)/basics-of-gst/current-gst-rates) - [https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/national-single-window/tradenet/](https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/national-single-window/tradenet/) - [https://www.customs.gov.sg/permits-and-licences/trade-controls-and-prohibitions/strategic-goods-control/](https://www.customs.gov.sg/permits-and-licences/trade-controls-and-prohibitions/strategic-goods-control/) - [https://www.mpa.gov.sg/media-centre/details/strong-growth-momentum-for-maritime-singapore](https://www.mpa.gov.sg/media-centre/details/strong-growth-momentum-for-maritime-singapore) *Last verified: 2026-07-18* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/sg](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/sg)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/sg](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/sg)*