Basic information
Outline of the system
The National Parks Board (NParks) regulates the importation of plants and plant materials; products of live animals and birds; and ornamental fish.
Product coverage
The products subject to NParks’ import licensing scheme are listed the following table.
|
Product |
Laws/Regulations |
|---|---|
|
Plants and propagatable plant parts including genetically modified plants and cuttings, cut flowers, foliages, seeds, tubers, soil, bulbs, peat moss, wood bark and other potting media, organic fertilisers of plant origin and mushroom spawn. Live insects including eggs, larvae and pupae, microorganisms of agricultural importance and biocontrol agents |
Control of Plants (Plant Importation) Rules |
|
Endangered animals, species of wild fauna and flora (CITES live specimens, parts and products) |
Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act |
|
Live animals (including ornamental fish), live birds, products of animals/birds, shell eggs for research purposes and veterinary biologics/vaccines |
Animals and Birds Act |
|
Veterinary medicaments (containing controlled substances such as Schedule Poison under the Poisons Act or Controlled Drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations) |
Medicines 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
The licensing requirements are maintained for the protection of plant life and health, and to discharge Singapore's obligations under international agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and International Plant Protection Convention.
For animals, The Animals and Birds Act is an Act for preventing the introduction into, and the spreading within, Singapore of diseases of animals, birds or fish; for the control of the movement of animals, birds or fish into, within and from Singapore; for the prevention of cruelty to animals, birds or fish; for measures pertaining to the general welfare and improvement of animals, birds or fish in Singapore and for purposes incidental thereto.
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 NParks 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 NParks 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 apply for licences. Applicants for the importation of the following products must meet additional criteria:
(a) only certain institutions or organisations such as zoos, museums and research institutions may apply for a licence to import certain CITES endangered species, mainly species listed in CITES Appendix I;
(b) only licensed personnel with relevant qualification and experience may import veterinary biologics. A key criterion for the issuance of the dealer’s licence for veterinary biologics is the suitability of the facilities/ premises; applicants dealing in ornamental fish import or export activities must have approved premises with facilities for holding, quarantining, and packing of ornamental fish;
(c) only institutions or importers who are granted approval after import risk assessment may apply for a licence to import microorganisms (plant pest), insects, organic fertilisers, biocontrol agents and plant pathogens for research purposes.
(d) for animals, all persons may apply for the import licence. However for commercial consignments, only the Animal and Veterinary Services (AVS) licensees e.g. pet shops, pet farms, research facilities may apply.
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
National Parks Board (NParks)
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 and Corporate Regulatory Authority, floorplan, GIRO application form, TradeNet activation form, and tenancy agreement, if applicable.
For animals, supporting documents such as rabies vaccination records, serology test reports, quarantine reservation may be required.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
In addition, for applications of CITES permits to import CITES specimens (live, parts or products), they would require the CITES export or re-export permits issued by the CITES Management Authority of the exporting or re-exporting country. Importation of plants and plant products would also require phytosanitary certificate from the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) country of origin or export in accordance to Singapore’s import requirements.
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?
The licence applicant would still have to submit the application with complete information and supporting documents as well as pass the inspection prior to licence approval.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Importer’s licence (ornamental fish) will be processed upon receipt of the completed application form and required information/documents as well as successful on-site inspection. There is no importer’s licence required for import of plants and plant products.
After successfully obtaining a licence to import/export ornamental fish, each import consignment must be accompanied with a valid ornamental fish import permit. Similarly, applications must be submitted in advance of arrival of the consignment.
For animals and birds, a licence is required to import any animal, bird or veterinary biologics. As such it is necessary for a licence to be obtained prior to the arrivals in Singapore. The licence is valid 30 days from the date of issue.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Consideration of licence applications are effected by a single administrative body (i.e. NParks).
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?
For the import of plants and plant products, there is no importer's licence required, but NParks would conduct post-entry inspection on the consignment. Importer is required to comply with the conditions stipulated (e.g. transport and storage condition) in the approval letter for consignments that require import risk analysis.
For the import of animals and birds, all consignments are subjected to post-arrival inspections. Importers are required to comply with the all the conditions and submit all the original supporting documents as stipulated on the import licence.
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) Import Permits (for actual imports)
• A permit fee of S$11 per consignment of plants and plant products. Other fees for and incidental to any inspection or examination activities are also specified under the Control of Plants (Plant Importation) Rules.
• A permit fee of S$3.50 per consignment applies for ornamental fish.
• A permit fee of S$50 per permit for pet animals/birds; and S$22 per permit for veterinary biologics.
• A permit fee of S$12 per scheduled CITES endangered species or parts/derivatives, subject to a minimum amount of S$60 per consignment, depending on the species. Each permit is valid for three months and may be extended for another three months.
• A permit fee of $50 (personal) and $87 (commercial) per consignment of live animals.
• A permit fee of $62 per consignment of live birds.
(b) Dealers’ licences
• An annual licence fee of S$350 for ornamental fish.
• An annual licence fee of S$45 for the licence to possess veterinary biologics.
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?
NParks 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. Additional requirements for the importation of certain products include:
(a) for live animals/birds/ornamental fish, products of live animals/birds and veterinary biologics, importers are required to show the import permits issued by the NParks together with relevant documents (such as veterinary health certificate, QC report, import licence, vaccination records, serology test report) from the exporting country. All ornamental fish and live animals imported must be healthy and free from any clinical signs of disease at the time of import. Sources may need to be approved by the NParks prior to import application, depending on the type of product. Endangered species must be accompanied by CITES permits.
(b) for plants and plant products, importers are required to produce the relevant documents (such as phytosanitary certificate, CITES permit for endangered plant species, and post entry inspection form). In addition, a letter of approval for import issued by NParks is also required for the import of microorganisms (plant pest), insects, organic fertilisers, and plant pathogens for research purposes.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
For the import of plants and plant products, there is no importer’s licence required. Institutions or importers are required to submit relevant documents (e.g. production process, list of species, list of ingredients, etc.) prior to importation. These documents would be required by NParks to conduct import risk analysis on the consignment such as microorganisms (plant pest), insects, organic fertilisers, biocontrol agents and plant pathogens for research purposes. The result of risk analysis would determine if the importation would be allowed.
For the import of animals for commercial purposes, only AVS licensees are allowed to import (e.g. pet shops, pet farms, research facilities).
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
For the import of animals, the licence is valid 30 days from the date of issue. The licence could be extended to a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue by submitting through the online system.
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.