Permit (Import/Transhipment)

General

Importation is the act of bringing into Singapore any goods other than goods in transit or goods which are to be transhipped. The importer (the organisation or facility that is the end-receiver and/or user of the imported good or product) is responsible for ensuring a valid import permit is secured before the importation of the good/product.

Transhipment is the act of bringing any goods into Singapore solely for the purpose of taking them out of Singapore, whether on the same conveyance on which they were brought into Singapore or on another conveyance, where the goods have landed and are kept at any place in Singapore pending their being taken out of Singapore. The transhipper (the organisation or facility that receives the transhipped good or product pending its onward transfer) is responsible for ensuring a valid transhipment permit is secured before transhipping the goods/product.

Scope/covers/list of schedules

The importation of all scheduled agents and toxins including inactivated* First and Second Schedule biological agents is subject to import permit under the Biological Agents and Toxins Act (BATA).

However, not all scheduled agents and toxins require a transhipment permit. A transhipment permit is required for transhipment of biological agents and toxins listed under the First, Second and Fifth Schedule of the Biological Agents and Toxins Act (BATA).

For the importation or transhipment of biological agents or toxins that are not listed in the Schedules, you are advised to check with the Ministry of Health (MOH) if you are uncertain whether an import permit is required.

View the List of Biological Agents and Toxins

*Inactivated - in relation to a biological agent, means that the biological agent has been rendered non-infectious and unable to replicate itself under any condition.

Requirements

Biological agents/toxins can either be solely controlled by the MOH, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) or jointly controlled by both agencies.

Pure human pathogens are controlled by MOH while pure animal pathogens are controlled by the AVS. Zoonotic agents are jointly controlled by MOH and AVS. Hence, importers must comply with the requirements from MOH and/or AVS, where applicable.

An approval to possess is an additional requirement that applies to the importation of First and Second Schedule biological agents, and Fifth Schedule toxins. The importer must have an approval to possess the scheduled biological agent or toxin prior its importation.

Additional requirements (e.g. approval to possess) may apply for the transhipment of the Scheduled biological agents and toxins. The transhipper is advised to consult MOH regarding the requirements.

Import permit application

Application for import permit is submitted via the Tradenet system. However, importation of zoonotic agents or pure animal pathogens may be subject to additional requirements by AVS. For information related to the importation of zoonotic agents or pure animal pathogens, you may refer to AVS’s website or contact AVS directly.

The following information and supporting documents are required to be submitted in the application for an import permit:

1. MOH product code(the importer is responsible for securing the correct MOH product code). If the agent is a zoonotic agent, aside from the MOH product code, you also need to secure the secondary or AVS product code

2. Unique Entity Number (UEN) or Central Registration Number (CRN) of the declarant’s company

3. Details of the declarant and declaring agency (Name of declarant, Company name, address and contact number).

4. Name and address of the importer

5. Commercial Invoice and Airway Bill – to be attached to the application submitted via the Tradenet

6. For inactivated First and Second biological agents, the following information must be provided:

   1. The person who did the inactivation

   2. The facility where the inactivation was done

   3. The method of inactivation

   4. The efficacy of the inactivation

   5. A formal signed declaration letter from the end-user facility.

7. Other supporting documents that MOH may deem necessary for the clearance of the item

Transhipment permit application

Application for transhipment permit is done online via the Tradenet system. However, transhipment of zoonotic agents or pure animal pathogens may be subject to additional requirements by AVS.

The following information and supporting documents are required to be submitted in the application for a transhipment permit:

1. MOH product code (the transhipper is responsible for securing the correct MOH product code). If the agent is a zoonotic agent, aside from the MOH product code, you also need to secure the secondary or AVS product code

2. Unique Entity Number (UEN) or Central Registration Number (CRN) of the declarant’s company

3. Details of the declarant (Name of declarant, Company name, address and contact number)

4. Commercial Invoice (to be attached to the online application submitted via the Tradenet system)

5. Handling agent name

6. Departure date from Singapore

7. Location where the item will be stored in Singapore while awaiting transhipment

8. Other supporting documents that MOH may deem necessary for the clearance of the item

Fees

Currently, the MOH does not charge any fees for the application or processing of import and transhipment permit.

Processing time

The processing time for an import or transhipment permit will depend on the accuracy and completeness of the information and supporting documents (including approval to possess for First, Second and Fifth Schedule biological agents and toxins, delivery or commercial invoice, supporting documents of effective inactivation of biological agents, etc.) submitted.

An import permit is usually approved within 3 working days provided that all the criteria and requirements for the import permit has been satisfied. The import permit is valid for 14 days inclusive of the approval date. It is advisable to submit applications for import permit at least 3 working days before the item is scheduled to arrive in Singapore.

A transhipment permit is usually approved within 3 working days provided that all the criteria and requirements for transhipment permit has been satisfied. The transhipment permit is valid for 21 working days inclusive of the approval date. It is advisable to submit applications for transhipment permit at least 5 working days before the item is scheduled to arrive in Singapore.

FAQ

Refer to the FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions.