Singapore Customs
Encyclopedia
Singapore Customs
is a government agency under the Ministry of Finance (Singapore)
. SC was reconstituted on 1 April 2003,
after the Customs and Excise Department and the Trade Facilitation Division and Statistics Audit Unit of International Enterprise Singapore
(IE Singapore) were merged .
The border function's at the land, air and sea checkpoints were also simultaneously transferred to Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). SC became the lead agency on trade facilitation and revenue enforcement matters. It is also responsible for the implementation of customs and trade enforcement measures including those related to Free Trade Agreements and strategic goods.
The headquarters is located in Revenue House along Newton Road.
endorsement for the Tourist Refund Scheme at the following land, air and sea checkpoints:
The department has since gone through many developments, as well as organisational and name changes. The span of past 90 years has seen a significant expansion of the department's responsibilities, brought about by globalisation and changes in laws, tariffs, trading and traveling trends.
In April 2003, the department was re-constituted as Singapore Customs - an agency that provides services for customs, trade and revenue matters.
.
who is assisted by a Senior Assistant Director-General and six Assistant Director-Generals.
The agency operates under six divisions; namely Trade, Compliance, Policy & Planning, Checkpoint & Corporate Services, Intelligence & Investigation and Corporate Development. Under these six divisions are 26 operating branches. The divisions and branches work across various functions, ranging from trade facilitation, contraband enforcement and revenue collection.
is a government agency under the Ministry of Finance (Singapore)
Ministry of Finance (Singapore)
The Ministry of Finance , is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for administering and regulating financial institutions and structures of the economy of Singapore. It is headed by the Minister for Finance...
. SC was reconstituted on 1 April 2003,
after the Customs and Excise Department and the Trade Facilitation Division and Statistics Audit Unit of International Enterprise Singapore
International Enterprise Singapore
International Enterprise Singapore , or IE Singapore, is a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Singapore Government that facilitates the overseas growth of Singapore-based companies and promotes international trade.-Purpose:...
(IE Singapore) were merged .
The border function's at the land, air and sea checkpoints were also simultaneously transferred to Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). SC became the lead agency on trade facilitation and revenue enforcement matters. It is also responsible for the implementation of customs and trade enforcement measures including those related to Free Trade Agreements and strategic goods.
The headquarters is located in Revenue House along Newton Road.
Goods and Services Tax Refund
SC exercises GSTGoods and Services Tax (Singapore)
Goods and Services Tax in Singapore is a broad-based value added tax levied on import of goods, as well as nearly all supplies of goods and services. The only exemptions are for the sales and leases of residential properties and most financial services...
endorsement for the Tourist Refund Scheme at the following land, air and sea checkpoints:
- Land checkpoints:
- Tuas Checkpoint
- Woodlands Checkpoint
- Air checkpoints:
- Changi Airport Terminal 1
- Changi Airport Terminal 2
- Changi Airport Terminal 3
- Changi Airport Budget Terminal
- Costal checkpoints:
- Singapore Cruise CentreSingapore Cruise CentreThe Singapore Cruise Centre is a cruise terminal located in the south of Singapore in the vicinity of HarbourFront and in Keppel Harbour...
- Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
- Singapore Cruise Centre
History
The Customs department's history dates back to the Straits Settlement period. Established in 1910 under the name Government Monopolies Department, Customs is one of the oldest tax-collecting organisations in Singapore. The origin of revenue collection went back to December 1909 when the first import duty was imposed on hard liquors. In 1916, the tariff was extended to include tobacco and cigarettes. The collection of duty on petroleum was introduced in 1934.The department has since gone through many developments, as well as organisational and name changes. The span of past 90 years has seen a significant expansion of the department's responsibilities, brought about by globalisation and changes in laws, tariffs, trading and traveling trends.
In April 2003, the department was re-constituted as Singapore Customs - an agency that provides services for customs, trade and revenue matters.
.
Primary roles and functions
SC’s primary roles and functions are:- collection of customs revenue;
- protection of customs revenue by preventing the evasion of duties and taxes;
- provision of one-stop solutions for trade and customs matters, such as issuance of permits, licenses and Certificates of Origin, and provision of classification and valuation advice;
- facilitation of trade through simplification of customs procedures and administration of tax suspension schemes;
- enforcement of trade requirements under the respective Free Trade Agreements (FTAs);
- regulation of trade in strategic goods and strategic goods technology; and
- enforcement against the illegal buying and selling of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
Divisions and Branches
SC is commanded by the Director-GeneralDirector-general
The term director-general is a title given the highest executive officer within a governmental, statutory, NGO, third sector or not-for-profit institution.-European Union:...
who is assisted by a Senior Assistant Director-General and six Assistant Director-Generals.
The agency operates under six divisions; namely Trade, Compliance, Policy & Planning, Checkpoint & Corporate Services, Intelligence & Investigation and Corporate Development. Under these six divisions are 26 operating branches. The divisions and branches work across various functions, ranging from trade facilitation, contraband enforcement and revenue collection.