Multi-Agency Enforcement Operations at Various Checkpoints

Officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs (Customs), and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) conducted multi-agency enforcement operations across the land, air, and sea checkpoints from 19 to 25 February 2025. 

2. The enforcement operations are part of continued efforts by the authorities to detect and enforce against non-compliance with Singapore’s Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime (CBCRR) and other illegal cross-border activities. Over the one-week operation, the authorities conducted enhanced checks on about 11,000 travellers, and more than 16,000 pieces of luggage and hand-carry bags were  searched. 

CBCRR Offences

3. The following CBCRR offences were detected during the operation:

1. On 21 February 2025, a 52-year-old male foreign traveller was detected bringing cash of various currencies amounting to more than S$23,000 into Singapore without declaring it.

2. On 22 February 2025, two male foreign travellers, aged 37 and 48, were separately intercepted at the checkpoints for undeclared cash movements. The 37-year-old traveller was detected with undeclared cash amounting to S$50,000 while departing Singapore, whilst the 48-year-old traveller was found bringing various currencies amounting to more than S$34,000 into Singapore. 

3. On 24 February 2025, a 44-year-old male foreign traveller was detected bringing cash of various currencies amounting to more than S$42,000 into Singapore without declaration.

4. On 25 February 2025, a 63-year-old female foreign traveller was detected bringing cash of various currencies amounting to more than S$93,000 into Singapore without declaration.

4. Of these five travellers caught moving undeclared cash into and out of Singapore, one was issued with a Notice of Warning, while the remaining four were issued with composition sums amounting to S$21,000 in all. 

5. SPF oversees the CBCRR to curb money laundering, terrorist financing and other criminal activities. While there are no restrictions on the amount of physical Currency or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI) that can be moved into or out of Singapore, it is a statutory requirement to declare it if the total value exceeds S$20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency). Travellers are required to submit a declaration electronically within 72 hours before entering or leaving Singapore by:

1. Downloading the MyICA mobile app and selecting “Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration”; or

2. Submitting the declaration via ICA website at https://go.gov.sg/cbnideclaration.

6. For travellers arriving in Singapore, they can also select “Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration” under “Other Declarations”, in the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) on either the MyICA mobile app or ICA website, after they have successfully submitted the SGAC for their arrival in Singapore.

7. Failure to report or to accurately report the movement of CBNIs exceeding S$20,000 under Section 60(2) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine of up to S$50,000 or both. A confiscation order may also be issued for any part of the cash, in relation to which the offence was committed. More information on Cross Border Cash Movement Reporting can be found on SPF’s website (https://www.police.gov.sg/advisories/crime/commercial-crimes/suspicious-transaction-reporting-office ↗ (opens in new tab)).

Customs Offences

8. During the week-long operation, 53 travellers were caught for failing to declare and pay taxes on (i) dutiable cigarettes/tobacco products; (ii) liquors exceeding their duty-free allowance; or (iii) new articles exceeding their Goods and Services Tax (GST) import relief allowances, such as souvenirs, gifts and food items. The total duty and GST evaded was S$1,285. Composition sums amounting to S$21,455 were imposed. A 45-year-old male traveller was found with 24 packets of undeclared duty-unpaid cigarettes. A 19-year-old female traveller was found with six pieces of undeclared toys, in excess of her GST import relief allowance. A 57-year-old male traveller brought in four litres of liquor, exceeding his duty-free allowance. All three travellers were issued composition sums.

9. Under the Customs Act, any person involved in any fraudulent evasion of, or attempted fraudulent evasion of any customs duty or excise duty shall be guilty of an offence and, upon conviction, may be liable for a fine of up to 20 times the amount of duty and GST evaded or imprisonment of up to two years. To avoid the hefty penalties and for their own convenience, travellers are strongly encouraged to make an advance declaration and payment for their dutiable or GST-liable goods up to three days prior to their arrival in Singapore, using the Customs@SG Web Application.  For detailed information on GST import relief entitlements and duty-free allowances, please visit Singapore Customs Guide for Arriving Travellers.

Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act Offences

10. On 24 February 2025, a 29-year-old male foreign traveller was detected with an e-vaporiser and was issued with a fine by HSA. 

11. The offence of importing, distributing, selling or offering for sale e-vaporisers under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act carries a fine of up to $20,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both if it is the second or subsequent offence. All prohibited tobacco products will be seized and confiscated. Members of the public who have information on the illegal import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of prohibited tobacco products can contact HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 6684 2036 or 

6684 2037 during office hours (9.00am to 5,30pm, Monday to Friday).

Safeguarding Singapore’s Borders

12. ICA and fellow agencies will continue to conduct security operations at our borders to detect and deter smuggling attempts, to keep Singapore safe. 

SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
1 MARCH 2025 @ 10.45AM

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