Basic information
Outline of the system
From 28 June 2021, under the Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Act 2020, all importers of Power-Assisted Bicycles (PABs) and motorised Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) are required to obtain approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) before importing such devices into Singapore.
Product coverage
The Import Control Regime (ICR) applies to PABs and motorised PMDs imported into Singapore under Harmonised System codes 87116092, 87116094 and 87116095.
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 ICR is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. It is an upstream measure to stem the inflow of non-compliant PABs and non-compliant motorised PMDs into Singapore. It reinforces the government's existing efforts to promote public path and fire safety in the use of active mobility devices.
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 ICR applies to all PABs and motorised PMDs imported into Singapore regardless of where such goods originate from.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The ICR is legislatively maintained under the Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Act 2020 and it is not possible to abolish the ICR without the relevant legislative approval(s). All importers of PABs and motorised PMDs shall obtain approval from the LTA before importing such devices into Singapore.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The ICR is legislatively maintained under the Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Act 2020 and it is not possible to abolish the ICR without the relevant legislative approval(s).
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?
All persons or firms can apply for a permit to import PABs and motorised PMDs provided they have a trade related account maintained with Singapore Customs.
Is there a registration fee?
LTA does not require importers to maintain a separate account or to pay a registration fee before they are allowed to apply for an import permit.
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
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
LTA does not require importers to submit additional forms beyond what is required by Singapore Customs for importers to apply for import permits.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
In addition to other trade related information required/prescribed by Singapore Customs when applying for an import permit, information/documents required by LTA as proof of import and for identification of goods to be imported includes:
(a) Manufacturer's sales receipt and invoice;
(b) Packing list and ocean bill of lading (for sea shipments) or airway bill (for air shipments);
(c) Certificate of conformity with EN15194:2017 (for PABs) or UL2272 certificate of compliance (for motorised PMDs), from accredited certification body; and
(d) Vehicle specifications list including device model, weight, width, maximum speed and maximum continuous rated power of the motor (for PABs).
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
To avoid delays, importers are advised to apply for an import permit before the goods arrive in Singapore.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
No limitations as to the period/time of the year during which applications for import permits may be submitted via TradeNet.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
While it is possible for an import permit to be granted immediately on request, any such urgent request is assessed on a case-by-case basis provided all necessary documents to support the permit application have been submitted to LTA.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
LTA typically requires up to 3 working days to process the import permit application submitted via TradeNet, after all necessary documents to support the permit application have been submitted.
TradeNet is Singapore's National Single Window for trade declaration and all permit applications to import PABs and/or motorised PMDs submitted via TradeNet are routed to LTA for approval.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Consideration of import permit application received via TradeNet for PABs and motorised PMDs imports, are effected by LTA only.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
No other conditions are attached to the approved import permits other than the implicit requirement that the goods imported are as per that declared in the approved permits.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Such permit fee is payable only if the permit application is approved via TradeNet.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
The import permit fee payable (per device) for compliant and non-compliant devices is $30 and $90 respectively.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
LTA does not require importers to maintain any deposit or advance payment before applying for an import permit.
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?
No prescribed circumstances whereby an application for import permit is refused approval other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria, such as not providing the required supporting documents with the permit application.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Importers are notified the reason(s) if their permit application is being rejected.
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?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
No additional documents (beyond what had been submitted in the import permit applications) are required upon actual importation.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No other administrative procedures are required before importation once import permit application has been approved.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
LTA neither prescribe a period of validity for the approved permits nor determine if approved permits can be extended or to what extent.
Validity period (including extension) of approved import permits is subject to rules/requirements prescribed by Singapore Customs.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No penalty for non-utilization of approved import permits.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Approved import permits are consignment specific and is not transferrable between importers.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
LTA neither require nor prescribe foreign exchange related matters for PABs and motorised PMDs imported under the ICR.