Basic information
Outline of the system
In Singapore, rice of all descriptions is a controlled item. Companies are required to apply for a valid licence to import, re-export and conduct wholesale dealings in rice. They are also required to apply for permits and obtain approvals for every import and re-export consignment of rice. This licensing system generally divides rice imports into 2 categories, requiring (i) a stockpile licence; and (ii) non-stockpile licence. For imports of stockpile grade rice, companies will need to participate in the Rice Stockpile Scheme (RSS).
Product coverage
Under the RSS, all white rice, basmati rice, ponni rice and parboiled rice are classified as stockpile grade rice. Other types of rice such as husked rice and glutinous rice are classified as non-stockpile grade rice.
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
RSS ensures that there should be an adequate supply of rice in the market. Rice is an important staple food for Singapore and there is no domestic production.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Please see Answers 6.1-6.11.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The licensing system applies to rice originating in and coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The RSS is currently operated under the legal framework for the Price Control Act (Cap 244) and the Price Control (Rice) Order 1990. 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 Enterprise Singapore (ESG), 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 Enterprise Singapore (ESG), 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?
Singapore-registered companies are eligible to apply for rice licence.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
The lists of licensees are published at https://rice.enterprisesg.gov.sg/.
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
Enterprise Singapore (ESG)
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Information required in the licence application includes information such as the type of licence, types of rice, applicant’s particulars, organisation’s details, MIQ, import starting date, country of import, details of rice supplier and warehousing details. Applicants are also required to submit their business profile obtainable from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Not applicable.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
Not applicable.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Not applicable.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Not applicable.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Not applicable.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Not applicable.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
The licensing conditions are attached to the issuance of the licence and are available at https://rice.enterprisesg.gov.sg/.
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?
ESG charges a fee of S$50 for a lifetime licence.
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?
ESG 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?
Unsuccessful applicants can appeal by contacting ESG.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Unsuccessful applicants can appeal by contacting ESG.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
Not applicable.
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.
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?
The licence has a lifetime period of validity.
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. Non-fulfilment of licensing conditions may result in revocation of licence.
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?
There is no maximum quota for the importation of rice. All stockpile licensees who import stockpile grade rice for local distribution are required to participate in the RSS. Under this scheme, licensees shall keep a rice stockpile quantity, which is derived from their import quantities. Information is available at https://rice.enterprisesg.gov.sg/.
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?
Stockpile licensees who import white rice have to pre-commit the Monthly Import Quantity (MIQ), which is the quantity that they wish to import every month for local distribution. The minimum MIQ is 50 tonnes. The licensees can adjust their MIQ under certain conditions and notice period.
Stockpile licensees who import basmati rice, ponni rice and parboiled rice are not subject to MIQ. They need to pre-commit the import quantity for local distribution for a 6-month period and can adjust their Max Import Quantity under certain conditions and notice period.
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 import licensing system applies to all types of rice and rice imported from all countries. All stockpile licensees are required to participate in the RSS.
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?
Generally, it would take three working days to process the application, upon receiving all necessary 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.
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?
Rice licence applications are processed by ESG. 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.
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?
Not applicable.
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?
Rice imported into Singapore's Free Trade Zone under licence to import rice for re-export should be exported and not sold in the domestic market.