Basic information
Outline of the system
The Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) regulates the importation of (a) hazardous substances and (b) hazardous waste and other waste defined by the Basel Convention.
Product coverage
The products subject to NEA’s import licensing procedures are listed in the table below.
|
Products |
Laws/Regulations |
|---|---|
|
Hazardous Substances |
|
|
Hazardous Waste |
|
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
The licensing procedure for Hazardous Substances (HS) Licence is non automatic. The HS Licence allows the holder to import, possess for sale, sell, store and use HS controlled under the EPCA. The licence holder is allowed to deal only with the controlled HS stated in the HS Licence.
Checks will be made to see if the licence applicant has an approved site in Singapore for storing the controlled hazardous substances. The licence applicant may be a foreigner, but he must be employed by a company based in Singapore. The licence applicant is required to undergo an oral interview to assess his competency and suitability to be issued with a HS Licence.
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The import licensing procedures for hazardous substances and hazardous waste are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. They are maintained for the purpose of discharging Singapore's obligations under multilateral environmental agreements (e.g. Basel Convention) or for health, safety, and environmental reasons.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
There is no restriction on the countries from which Singapore imports the hazardous substances and hazardous wastes except for obligations under the Multilateral Environmental Agreements to which Singapore is a Party. These are summarised below:
(a) Trade ban with non-Parties to the Montreal Protocol and relevant amendments on ozone depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) listed in the Annexes of the Protocol;
(b) Prior Informed Consent for importation of chemicals listed in Annex III under the Rotterdam Convention;
(c) Prohibition and restriction of chemicals (including products containing the chemicals) listed respectively in Annex A and B under the Stockholm Convention;
(d) Prohibition of mercury containing products listed in Annex A of the Minamata Convention and obligations on the trade in mercury under Article 3 of the Minamata Convention;
(e) Prior Informed Consent (PIC) is to be sought by Parties to the Basel Convention for the transboundary movement of hazardous waste and other waste defined by the Convention. Under the PIC procedure, the State of export shall notify, or shall require the generator or exporter to notify, in writing, through the channel of the competent authority of the State of export, the competent authority of Singapore (i.e. NEA) of any proposed trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes or other wastes prior to the actual movement of them.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Licensing procedure is ongoing as there is a continuous need to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
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 NEA administers the licensing system, the designation of chemicals and hazardous waste 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 NEA administers the licensing system, the designation of chemicals and hazardous waste 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 in Singapore are eligible to register with NEA and apply for licences. The applicant must be a professional or a senior management staff, who has the necessary knowledge of how to handle the hazardous wastes and hazardous substances safely. For hazardous substances, the person should also be one who has passed an examination for the module on "Manage Hazardous Substances" under the WSQ Specialist Diploma in Occupational Hygiene". The module covers technical knowledge on the safe handling of the hazardous substances and on the Environmental Protection and Management Act and its Regulations.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Pollution Control Department, National Environment Agency
Address
40 Scotts Road, #12-00, Singapore 228231
Telephone
Fax
(65) 6731 9651
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA)
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, product description, product quantity, mode of transport, port of shipment/transport, product brand/serial number/model/make and country of origin.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Additional requirements in applications to import the following products include:
(a) for hazardous substances, documents of approval from the Development Control and Licensing Division (DCLD) and a valid Hazardous Substances Licence or Permit from the Pollution Control Division 1 (PCD1) to show that the applicant has approved storage and handling facilities to handle hazardous substances safely; a layout plan to show areas for storing hazardous substances; and an emergency action plan to indicate how a chemical release from the storage area will be contained, detoxified and cleaned up.
(b) for hazardous waste, any person who wishes to export, import or transit hazardous wastes shall obtain a permit from the Chemical Control and Management Department, NEA. NEA adopts the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure of the Basel Convention in granting any permit for the export, import or transit of hazardous wastes.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
For import of hazardous substances, licence applications for importation should be made in advance of arrival of the goods.
For import of hazardous wastes, the Competent Authority of the exporting country is required to seek Prior Informed Consent from the importing country's Competent Authority defined under the Basel Convention.
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?
Under certain circumstances, a licence may be granted immediately upon submission of application.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
For import of hazardous substances,licences will be processed within 7 working days upon receipt of complete and accurate submission of all required documents. For certain Hazardous Substances, the Competent Authority of the exporting country is required to seek Prior Informed Consent from the importing country's Competent Authority defined under the Rotterdam Convention.
For import of hazardous wastes, after obtaining PIC, licence applications for importation should be made in advance of arrival of the goods. Licences will be processed within 5 working days upon receipt of complete and accurate submission of all required documents.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Consideration of a Hazardous Substances licence and Basel permit for hazardous waste application is effected by a single administrative body (i.e. NEA).
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?
Conditions are imposed on licences to ensure that measures are in place to protect public safety and health, as well as to minimise environmental pollution. These conditions include:
• Ensuring hazardous substances and wastes are packaged, labelled and transported in accordance to relevant requirements and standards
• Declaring every import of hazardous substances and waste using appropriate product codes on TradeNet
• Ensuring Prior Informed Consent have been given by all relevant Competent Authorities for the import/export of (i) hazardous waste and (ii) certain hazardous substances defined under the Multilateral Environment Agreements
• Submission of valid Banker's guarantee to cover the costs of actions to remedy any problems which may arise during the transboundary movement and subsequent disposal (for hazardous waste only).
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Licensing fees are required.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Licensing fees are required for the following classes of licences:
(a) For hazardous waste,
• an annual Basel permit fee of S$370 for the export, import or transit of hazardous waste; or
• a 3-month Basel permit fee of S$165 for the export, import or transit of hazardous waste.
(b) For hazardous substance,
• an annual licence fee of S$525 for the import, export, sale, storage and transport of hazardous substances; and
• an annual permit fee of S$160 for the purchase, use and storage of hazardous substances.
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 NEA’s environmental pollution requirements.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
NEA 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?
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, most 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.
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?
Please refer to response in question 34 for the length of validity of the classes of licenses.
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.