Basic information
Outline of the system
Traders who intend to import food and food appliances into Singapore are required to meet the import conditions and licensing requirements of the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).
Product coverage
The products subject to SFA’s licensing schemes are listed in the table below.
|
Product |
Laws/Regulations |
|---|---|
|
Meat and meat products |
Wholesome Meat and Fish Act |
|
Fish and fish products |
Wholesome Meat and Fish Act |
|
Fresh fruits and vegetables |
Control of Plants Act |
|
Processed food and food appliances |
Sale of Food Act |
|
Animal feed |
Feeding Stuffs Act |
|
Livestock and Animal Products |
Animals and Birds Act |
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
SFA's import licensing procedures are maintained for food safety, public and animal health reasons and are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
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 under question 2. All import licensing procedures are statutorily required and published in government gazettes.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
While SFA administers the licensing system, 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 SFA administers the licensing system, 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 register with SFA and apply for licences/registrations with SFA.
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
Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
The following information is required in applications for import licences: particulars of importer, company registration certificate issued by the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority, and statement of Medisave contribution (for self-employed persons only).
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
For table eggs, a Business Continuity Plan is required in addition to the above.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Applications should be made in advance of arrival of the goods.
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?
A licence can be granted on the same working day upon submission of the complete application form and supporting documents.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
The importer’s licence application will be processed within one working day upon receipt of the completed application form and required information/documents. SFA provides for same-day processing for some food/food products at an additional fee equal to the licence cost.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Consideration of licence application is effected by a single administrative body - SFA.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
The importer does not have to approach more than one administrative body.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
Traders who wish to import food into Singapore must ensure that their products meet SFA’s conditions, including importing from approved sources, obtaining health certificates, providing required food labels, etc. Such information can be found on SFA’s website. Additional conditions for the following products are listed below:
To import sheep / goat, importers are required to obtain a Special Slaughter Permit from SFA for each consignment.
• To import fresh table eggs, importers must have their egg storage premises inspected and approved by SFA to meet SFA’s requirements on hygiene and sanitation, location (i.e. away from heavy industries), storage conditions, etc. Importers are also required to submit a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for approval prior to licence application and/or renewal. This BCP would detail preventive strategies adopted by the importer to mitigate the impact of supply disruptions.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes, see below.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
SFA's licensing/registration fees for food importers are provided in the the table below.
|
Type of Food to be imported |
Licence/Registration Name |
Fees |
|
Meat and fish |
Licence for Import/Export/Transshipment of Meat and Fish Products |
S$84 per annum |
|
Fresh fruit and vegetables |
Licence for Import/Transshipment of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables |
S$378 per annum |
|
Fresh eggs |
Licence to Import Table Eggs |
Free |
|
Processed eggs, processed food, and food appliances |
Registration to Import Processed Food Products and Food Appliances |
Free |
|
Animal feed |
Registration to Import Animal Feed |
Free |
SFA’s licensing / registration fees for importers of food-producing animals and animal feed are provided in the table below.
|
Type of Food to be imported |
Licence/Registration Name |
Fees |
|
Sheep and Goats |
Licence to Import/Export/Transship Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics |
S$87 per consignment |
|
Day-old-chicks |
Licence to Import/Export/Transship Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics |
S$62 per consignment |
|
Sheep and Goat |
Licence to Import Sheep and Goat |
Free |
|
Broiler Chickens and Broiler Ducks |
Licence to Import Poultry
|
Free |
|
Animal feed |
Registration to Import Animal Feed |
Free |
|
Live frog |
Registration to Import Live Frogs for Consumption |
Free |
The CCP fees for the import of various types of food are provided in the table below.
|
Type of Food |
Fees |
|---|---|
|
Meat (chilled, frozen or processed) |
S$4.60 per 100 kg or part thereof |
|
Meat (canned) |
S$77 per consignment |
|
Fish |
S$3 per consignment |
|
Fresh fruits and vegetables |
S$3 per consignment |
|
Fresh eggs |
S$62 per consignment |
|
Processed eggs (salted/preserved eggs) |
S$62 per consignment |
|
Other processed egg products |
S$22 per consignment |
|
Live poultry |
S$62 per consignment |
|
Live pigs |
S$87 per consignment |
|
Animal feed for food producing animals (livestock or aquaculture) |
S$22 per consignment |
|
Processed food |
Not applicable |
|
Food appliances |
Not applicable |
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?
SFA will generally provide the reason(s) in the event of a refusal to issue a licence.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Applicant may contact SFA to appeal against the rejection of a licence.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Applicant may contact SFA to appeal against the rejection of a licence.
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. Additional requirements for the importation of certain products include:
• for meat and meat products, imports must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued by the approved sources in the exporting country.
• for live poultry, imports must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued by the approved sources in the exporting country.
• for livestock, imports must be accompanied by a master’s/captain’s declaration and a veterinary health certificate issued by the approved sources in the exporting country.
• for selected fish or fish products, additional health certificate and quarantine requirements apply.
• for selected processed food products, additional supporting documents (e.g., health certificates or laboratory analytical reports) to certify the safety of the products are required.
• for table eggs and egg products, imports must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued by the approved sources in the exporting country, the invoice and the packing list.
• for animal feed meant for food-producing animals, imports must be accompanied by the bill of lading / airway bill, invoice, packing list, ingredient list / product composition, product specifications / data sheet, and manufacturer’s declaration (stating that the product does not contain meat/meat products and is meant for animal consumption only).
In addition, some types of food imports require inspection upon entering the country. These include all food consignments, live poultry and livestock imports. The requirement for an inspection will be indicated on the Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP) issued. The inspection may involve a collection of samples by SFA for laboratory analysis. In some cases, consignments may also be placed on “hold and test”, i.e. the consignment cannot be sold or distributed until the laboratory results have been released and the sample found compliant with Singapore food laws.
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?
Licences are valid for a year unless sooner revoked or suspended. Licences may be renewed upon its expiry but cannot be extended.
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.