Basic information
Outline of the system
The Health Science Authority (HSA) of Singapore and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) jointly regulate the import, export or transhipment of any controlled drugs and substances, including poppy seeds and its products.
Singapore abides by the International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) allocation of quotas for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances controlled under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol and UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971. Substances listed under the UN Convention against illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 are controlled in accordance to the Convention.
A HSA license is required for the application of import and export for controlled drugs meet the national legislative requirements and complies to the UN Conventions. A CNB licence is required for the application of an import permit for controlled equipment, materials or substances used for the manufacturing of controlled drugs. Importation of poppy seeds or any food products containing poppy seeds requires the Inward Declaration Form to be approved by CNB.
Product coverage
The controlled drugs (International controlled narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances) and precursor chemcial subject to HSA’s and CNB’s import and export licensing procedures are listed in the table below.
|
Product |
Laws/Regulations |
|---|---|
|
Substances regulated as controlled drugs (CD), as specified in the First Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act |
Misuse of Drugs Act and its Regulations |
|
Controlled equipment, materials or substances used for the manufacturing of controlled drugs, as specified in the Third Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act |
Misuse of Drugs Act and its Regulations |
|
Poppy Seeds (kaskas) |
Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations |
In addition, some of the psychotropic substances listed in the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 are subject to control and quotas under HSA’s regulations relating to therapeutic product and clinical research materials. This licensing system is described in the next section 10.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The licensing requirements are for health and safety reasons, and to discharge Singapore's obligations under international agreements, such as the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
See Answers 6.1-6.11.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The licensing requirements apply to products originating in and coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The laws, regulations and/or administrative orders under which the licensing procedures are maintained are listed in our response to Question 2. The licensing requirements are statutorily required and published in government gazettes.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
While the administration of the licensing requirements is undertaken by the respective agency, the designation of products to be subjected to licensing and the abolishment of any licensing system require legislative approval.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
While the administration of the licensing requirements is undertaken by the respective agency, the designation of products to be subjected to licensing and the abolishment of any licensing system require legislative approval.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Generally, all persons, registered firms and institutions are eligible to apply for import licensing / approval.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
The following information is required in applications for import permits: particulars of importer, company registration certificate issued by the Singapore Registry of Companies and Businesses, product description, product quantity, mode of transport, port of shipment/transport, product brand/serial number/model/make, country of origin, applicant details, warehouse details and responsible person. The following additional information is required for the specified permits:
• For application of import permit for controlled drugs, a valid controlled drug import licence number.
• For application of import permit for controlled equipment, materials or substances, a valid CNB Licence number, descriptions of goods and packaging, purpose and usage of goods, date of permit application, name of supplier and consignee.
For application of HSA’s licence, the requirements can be found on its website.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
For application of CNB’s licence, the necessary supporting documents include sale agreement, invoice and purchase order.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
For poppy seeds, controlled equipment, materials or substances used for the manufacturing of controlled drugs, permit applications should be made in advance of arrival of the goods.
For controlled drugs, application for import licence must be submitted to HSA at least 20 working days in advance of importation.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no limitations on the period of the year during which applications for licence and/or importation may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Processing time will be required as per the application type. Please refer to Answer 29.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
The application processing time generally takes 5 working days if all required supporting documents are provided.
Controlled drugs are not allowed to be imported without an approved import licence.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
For controlled equipment, materials or substances, the consideration of application is effected by solely CNB.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
For poppy seeds and its products, the importer must first obtain a sample analysis report from HSA. If there are no traces of morphine detected, CNB will endorse and approve the Inward Declaration Form.
For controlled drugs, applications of import licences are processed by HSA.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no other conditions attached to the issuance of the licences.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
The fees related to HSA’s importer license are published on HSA’s website.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
CNB does not charge any licensing fee or administrative charge.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
There are no deposit or advance payment requirements associated with the issuance of licences.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
An application for an import licence is usually granted if it meets the stipulated criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
In the event of a refusal for issuance, the reason(s) is/are generally provided.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
An applicant who is refused a licence may appeal against the decision in writing for reconsideration.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There are no limitations on the period of the year during which applications for licence and/or importation may be made.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon actual importation, importers are required to make an Inward Declaration showing the correct description and quantities of each consignment made electronically through TradeNet. Shipping documents such as the Bill of Lading/ Airway Bill and invoice are also required.
For poppy seeds and its products, the submission of the Inward Declaration Form should be accompanied by a HSA sample analysis report, and an export authorisation issued by the exporting country, if any.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
For the import of controlled drugs, the licence, approval or authorisation is issued on a per consignment basis and is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. There is no renewal for an impot licence.
CNB’s importer licence is valid for 3 months and the validity may be extended by renewal.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of licence or a portion of it.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are not transferable without the approval in writing from the relevant authority.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Not applicable.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Not applicable.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Not applicable.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Not applicable.
The following questions are only for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally)
Where is information on allocation and formalities for licences published? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
The INCB allocates annual quotas on its website, based on the local consumption needs. HSA also provides information on Singapore’s quotas to interested parties upon request. The quota does not discriminate between countries of origin. There is no limit to the amount an importer can import as long as Singapore’s quota for that controlled drug is not exceeded, and the purpose of the import is for legitimate uses (e.g. medical needs, scientific research or testing). Where there is a need to go beyond Singapore’s current annual quotas due to legitimate reasons, HSA can submit a request to INCB for an increase in the quota allotted.
Is the size of the quota determined: on yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for a fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
The import licence is valid for the import consignment of a specific controlled drug for 6 months from the date of issuance. The importer will need to apply for a new import licence for another consignment or if the licence has expired.
Are licences allocated for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate)
The quota applies to all narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances controlled under the UN Drug Conventions. Unused quantities from unfulfilled importations are credited back to the quota for the current year. There is no carryover of unused quantity from the previous year. Prior to importation of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into Singapore, the competent authority of the exporting country will request for Singapore’s import licence to ascertain that Singapore has authorised the import before a corresponding export licence is issued. The import licence contains details of the substance to be imported, particulars of the importer and exporter, purpose of import, licence validity period and licensing conditions.
From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
There are no limitations on the period of the year during which applications for licence may be made.
What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Import licences for controlled drugs will be issued within 20 working days upon receipt of the completed application form and full set of supporting documents.
How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
There are no limitations on the period of the year during which importation may be made. Import licences are granted for immediate importation and are valid for 6 months from the date of issuance.
Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Consideration of importer’s licence for controlled drugs is effected by a single administrative body (i.e. HSA). The importer does not have to approach more than one administrative body.
If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
The licenses are processed and issued on a first come, first serve basis. There is no maximum amount allocated per applicant as long as Singapore’s quota for that controlled drug is not exceeded and the purpose of import is for legitimate use.
In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Singapore's national legislation, the Misuse of Drugs Act and Misuse of Drugs Regulations, mandates the application for licences to import and export controlled drugs. Licences are only issued after regulatory evaluation to determine that the importer meets the requirements. The UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs requires the authorisation from both the importing and exporting countries for the controlled narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
In cases where imports are allocated on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Not applicable.
Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
All imports should be for legitimate uses, whether it is for local consumption or for export. If the importer has declared for a consignment of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to be imported for export only, this purpose of the request will be indicated on the import licence, and the quantity approved for import will not be counted towards Singapore’s annual quota.