Before you start trading, you need to activate your Customs Account with Singapore Customs and obtain licences and permits to import/export/tranship goods.

Activate Your Customs Account
Permits To Import/Export/Tranship Goods
Controlled Goods
Strategic Goods
Tips For New Traders

Activate Your Customs Account

• Before you can start trading, you need to activate your Customs Account with Singapore Customs to import/export goods in and out of Singapore.
  
  
• All entities including businesses and societies with a valid Unique Entity Number (UEN) can activate their Customs Account.
  
  
• If you do not have a UEN, please contact the Issuance Agency you are registered with. For instance, if you are a society registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS), ROS will issue the UEN to you.
  
  
• If you are an individual, please register as a sole-proprietor with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA).
  
  
• After activating your Customs Account, you can use your account the following day to apply for import, export and transhipment permits/ certificates through TradeNet®, or receive notification alerts for approved TradeNet® permits.

See:	• Register Your Business
	• Activate Your Customs Account
	• Unique Entity Number (UEN)

back to top

• To import/export/tranship goods, you must apply for an Import Permit, Export Permit or Transhipment Permit for each shipment of goods.
  
  

  See:	• Importing Goods from Overseas
  	• Exporting Goods
  	• Transhipping Goods through Singapore

• You can apply for these permits on your own using TradeNet® or through your freight forwarder or cargo agent.
  
  

  See:	• Learn more about TradeNet®
  	• Freight forwarders and cargo agents

back to top

• If your goods are “controlled” goods (e.g. food products or films), your permit application must first be approved by the “Competent Authority” that regulates these goods.
  
  
• Your permit may not be approved if you do not have the necessary licences to deal in these goods.

See:	Licences/Permits To Trade Controlled Goods

back to top

• If you are exporting, re-exporting, transhipping or transporting strategic goods such as munitions or bio-chemicals, you must obtain strategic goods permits.

See:	Licences/Permits To Trade Strategic Goods

back to top

Tips For New Traders

• You can hire freight forwarders and cargo agents to help you import/export/tranship goods. They will take care of the all the paperwork which includes applying for permits on your behalf.
  
  
• If you prefer to handle everything yourself, you will need to set up a TradeNet® account and familiarise yourself with all the processes. You can approach TradeNet® Service Centres for help.

back to top