As per the import policies of Singapore Government there are no tariffs on industrial goods or textiles. Due to social and environmental reasons, Singapore imposes high excise taxes on distilled spirits, wine, tobacco products, all imported motor vehicles and gasoline.
Standards, Testing, Labeling and Certification
Under the 2002 Consumer Protection Regulations, 45 categories of electrical, electronic appliances and accessories have been mentioned as controlled goods and require a stamp of approval from Singapore government's standards and certification authority (SPRING Singapore).
Agriculture
- The import of meat and poultry in Singapore is allowed only from those countries with which Singapore has signed protocol agreements. This is to ensure it maintains its food safety requirements through the amalgamation of foreign farms accreditation, inspection and regular testing. Export health documentation endorsed by federal health institutions must accompany every shipment of imported meat and poultry.
- In Singapore Agri food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) carries out a zero tolerance policy for salmonella enteriditis and escherichia coli E 0157 in raw meat products.
- AVA also prohibits beef imports from nations in which Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been detected including the United States. Before Singapore made it mandatory to have six years of non BSE detection in a country before re-establishing trade with that country, but now it has revised it to a minimum risk rule in line with World Organization For Animal Health (OIE) guidelines.
Agricultural Biotechnology
- In Singapore all imported foods, both genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and non GMOs have to be declared safe by the national regulatory bodies of the exporting country as well as in accordance with International Safety Standards established by Codex Alimentarius before they can enter Singapore.
- In Singapore the Government has given consent to the import of agricultural biotechnology products such as genetically modified corn and soybeans to be used in foods and feeds.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Protection
- In tandem with FTA commitments and obligations under International Treaties and Conventions, Singapore has created one of the strongest IPR governance in Asia.
- To facilitate FTA commitments Singapore amended Section 31 of the Import/Export Act in November 2003 to enable information sharing with US Customs and Border Protection and officials from nations with which Singapore has entered into trade agreements.
- Singapore being a major transshipment and transit point for both sea and air cargo, does not collect information on the contents and destinations of most transshipment ,which account for nearly 80 per cent of the cargo coming through the Singapore port.
