🇸🇬 Singapore Customs Guide
What customs allows you to bring into Singapore — duty-free caps, banned and restricted goods, and medication rules, from official sources.
Fully verified · Authority: Singapore Customs · Last verified
Every section below carries verbatim quotes from official customs sources captured on the verification date.
Two different questions. Airport security screening (TSA/CATSA — can it go through the checkpoint?) is separate from customs (may it enter the country at all?). This page covers customs after arrival in Singapore; for checkpoint rules, see the item guides.
Duty-free allowances
LIQUOR — pick ONE option (18+, ≥48 h outside Singapore, NOT arriving from Malaysia, personal consumption): A: 1 L spirits + 1 L wine · B: 1 L spirits + 1 L beer · C: 1 L wine + 1 L beer · D: 2 L wine · E: 2 L beer; >10 L needs a Customs permit. TOBACCO — zero: every cigarette/gram is dutiable, no concession, no GST relief (Singapore is the outlier here).
“Option Spirits Wine Beer A 1 Litre 1 Litre - B 1 Litre - 1 Litre C - 1 Litre 1 Litre D - 2 Litre - E - - 2 Litres”
“There is no duty-free concession or GST import relief for cigarettes and tobacco products. All cigarettes and tobacco products, including those purchased in Singapore with the Singapore Duty-Paid Cigarette (SDPC) mark, are subject to duty and GST when brought into Singapore.”
“You may bring in duty-free liquor only if you meet all these conditions: You are 18 years old or above. You spent at least 48 hours outside Singapore before arrival. You are not arriving from Malaysia. The liquor is for your personal consumption.”
Prohibited & restricted goods
Prohibited goods cannot be brought in at all; controlled goods need a permit from the Competent Authority BEFORE arrival and must go through the Red Channel. Chewing gum (except dental/medicinal gum with approval) and all electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, heated tobacco products, and e-liquids are prohibited from import into Singapore with strict statutory penalties.
“Controlled goods require an import permit or authorisation from the relevant CAs before they can be brought into Singapore. If you are carrying controlled goods, you must: Obtain the required permit or authorisation before arrival. Present the goods and approval documents to the checking officer at the Red Channel or Customs Examination Area …”
Medication & prescription drugs
Under Health Sciences Authority (HSA) regulations (updated June 2026), arriving travellers may bring up to a 3-month supply of personal medication if no prior approval is required and the substance is not prohibited. You must carry a copy of a valid prescription or doctor's letter from your country of residence, with each medication kept in its original pharmacy container labelled with the patient's name, medication name, and dispensed quantity. Imports of quantities exceeding a 3-month supply are strictly not allowed under any circumstances. ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED: medications containing Fourth Schedule Misuse of Drugs Regulations substances (such as cannabis and cannabis extracts), medications in chewing gum form, and Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy Products (such as stem cells). CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES REQUIRING PRIOR APPROVAL: Medications containing substances listed in Appendix A of the HSA Document Guide (Second/Third Schedules of Misuse of Drugs Regulations and First Schedule of Health Products Regulations, such as strong opioids, psychotropics, sedatives, stimulants) require pre-approval via the HSA online portal (https://go.gov.sg/hsa-ptm) submitted at least 2 weeks before arrival in Singapore with English medical documentation and product photographs. Transit travellers staying airside do not require approval for controlled medicines, but prohibited substances remain banned even in transit.
“The importation of health supplements and medicinal products into Singapore is regulated by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).”
“You may bring up to 3 months' supply if no approval is needed and the medication is not prohibited. Carry a copy of a valid prescription/doctor's letter from your country of residence; each medication in its original container/packaging, labelled with the patient name, medication name and quantity by the dispensing pharmacy.”
“Please note that imports of quantities exceeding 3 months' supply are not allowed.”
“Submit your application at least 2 weeks before your arrival in Singapore to ensure adequate processing time. Applications submitted with less than 2 weeks' notice may not be processed in time.”
Still being verified — nothing guessed
No known verification gaps remain for Singapore as of . All core customs allowances, prohibited goods, and medication import rules are verified against official primary sources.
Singapore customs FAQs
What is the duty-free allowance for Singapore?
LIQUOR — pick ONE option (18+, ≥48 h outside Singapore, NOT arriving from Malaysia, personal consumption): A: 1 L spirits + 1 L wine · B: 1 L spirits + 1 L beer · C: 1 L wine + 1 L beer · D: 2 L wine · E: 2 L beer; >10 L needs a Customs permit. TOBACCO — zero: every cigarette/gram is dutiable, no concession, no GST relief (Singapore is the outlier here).
What items are prohibited or restricted at Singapore customs?
Prohibited goods cannot be brought in at all; controlled goods need a permit from the Competent Authority BEFORE arrival and must go through the Red Channel. Chewing gum (except dental/medicinal gum with approval) and all electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, heated tobacco products, and e-liquids are prohibited from import into Singapore with strict statutory penalties.
Can I bring medication into Singapore?
Under Health Sciences Authority (HSA) regulations (updated June 2026), arriving travellers may bring up to a 3-month supply of personal medication if no prior approval is required and the substance is not prohibited. You must carry a copy of a valid prescription or doctor's letter from your country of residence, with each medication kept in its original pharmacy container labelled with the patient's name, medication name, and dispensed quantity. Imports of quantities exceeding a 3-month supply are strictly not allowed under any circumstances. ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED: medications containing Fourth Schedule Misuse of Drugs Regulations substances (such as cannabis and cannabis extracts), medications in chewing gum form, and Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy Products (such as stem cells). CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES REQUIRING PRIOR APPROVAL: Medications containing substances listed in Appendix A of the HSA Document Guide (Second/Third Schedules of Misuse of Drugs Regulations and First Schedule of Health Products Regulations, such as strong opioids, psychotropics, sedatives, stimulants) require pre-approval via the HSA online portal (https://go.gov.sg/hsa-ptm) submitted at least 2 weeks before arrival in Singapore with English medical documentation and product photographs. Transit travellers staying airside do not require approval for controlled medicines, but prohibited substances remain banned even in transit.
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Verified against official sources. Rules change — for high-stakes items, confirm with your airline and the screening authority. Our verification method →
- Singapore Customs — Duty-Free Concessions & GST Relief ↗
- Singapore Customs — Prohibited and Controlled Goods ↗
- Singapore Customs — Official Ask.gov.sg Advisory ↗
- Health Sciences Authority — Personal Medications Page ↗
- Health Sciences Authority — Document Guide & Substance Schedules ↗