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, sea, and air checkpoints from 25 to 29 November 2024.

2. The enforcement operations are part of continued efforts by the authorities to detect and enforce against non-compliance of Singapore’s Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime (CBCRR) and other illegal cross-border activities. Over five days, the authorities conducted enhanced checks on more than 8,100 identified travellers, 950 vehicles, and more than 14,000 luggage and hand-carry bags were scanned or searched. Further details on the cases detected during the checks can be found below.

CBCRR Offences

3. The CBCRR offences detected during the operations are as follows:

a. On 25 November 2024, two male foreign travellers and one female foreign traveller, aged between 53 and 74, were separately detected bringing cash of various currencies amounting to between S$23,000 and S$38,000 into Singapore without declaration.

b. On 26 November 2024, a 43-year-old male foreign traveller was detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to more than S$22,000 into Singapore without declaration.

c. On 27 November 2024, a 49-year-old male foreign traveller was detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to more than S$1.3 million. He was found to have provided an inaccurate report on the cross-border movement of Cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNIs) by under-declaring the amount.

d. On 28 November 2024, three male foreign travellers, aged between 35 to 74, were separately detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to between S$21,000 and S$38,400 into Singapore without declaration.

4. Of these eight travellers caught moving cash exceeding S$20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) into Singapore without declaration or provided an inaccurate report during the operations, four were issued with Notices of Warning, while three were issued with composition sums amounting to S$12,000 in all. Investigations are ongoing against the traveller who provided an inaccurate report on cross-border movement of CBNI.

5. Mr David Chew, Director, Commercial Affairs Department, said, “Singapore has enhanced our Cross Border Cash Reporting Regime (CBCRR) by mandating the electronic submission of declarations by travellers entering and leaving Singapore with effect from 13 May 2024. The smuggling of cash across territorial borders is a known way criminals launder proceeds of crime. To address the money-laundering risks posed by undeclared cross border movements of cash, the composition penalties for CBCRR have also been increased threefold for stronger deterrence. Travellers are

reminded that strong enforcement actions will be taken against anyone who fails to make full and accurate report of cash movements into or out of Singapore”.

6. SPF oversees the CBCRR to curb money laundering, terrorist financing and other criminal activities. While there are no restrictions on the amount of CBNIs that can be moved into or out of Singapore, it is a statutory requirement to report the crossborder physical movement of CBNIs 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:

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

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

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

8. Failure to report or to accurately report the movement of CBNIs exceeding S$20,000 is an offence punishable under Section 60(2) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. Offenders are liable to a fine of up to S$50,000 or to an imprisonment term of up to three years, 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 (www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Crime/Commercial Crimes/Suspicious-Transaction-Reporting-Office).

Customs Offences

9. 51 travellers were caught 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 exceeded S$2,300, with composition sums amounting to over S$17,000 imposed. In one of the cases, a traveller was fined as he brought in 859 grams of cigars and 11 sticks of cigarettes. These cigars and cigarettes did not comply with Singapore’s Standardised Packaging

(SP) requirements and were disposed of at the airport. Another traveller brought in liquor in excess of 4 litres, exceeding his duty-free allowance, and was fined. There was also one traveller who failed to declare 800 grams of bird’s nest and was fined accordingly.

10. All goods brought into Singapore by travellers, including foreign visitors and residents, are subject to GST, regardless of any foreign sales or value-added tax paid. Under the Customs Act, any person who is in any way concerned in any fraudulent evasion of, or attempt to fraudulently evade, any customs duty or excise duty shall be guilty of an offence and will be liable on conviction to a fine of up to 20 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, or jailed for up to two years.

11. To avoid the hefty penalties and for their own convenience, we strongly encourage travellers to make an advance declaration and payment for their dutiable or GST goods up to three days prior to their arrival in Singapore, using the

Customs@SG Web Application. Payment for taxes can also be made at the Customs Tax Payment Office at the various checkpoints, where Customs officers are available to assist. For detailed information on GST import relief entitlements and duty-free allowances, please visit Singapore Customs Guide for Arriving Travellers.

12. From 1 July 2020, all cigarettes and other tobacco products imported into, sold, offered for sale, or distributed in Singapore must comply with the SP requirements. Cigarettes and/or tobacco products that do not comply with the SP requirements will be disposed of at the checkpoints. Travellers must ensure that their cigarettes and/or tobacco products comply with the SP requirements before making a declaration and payment via the Customs@SG web application.

Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act Offences

13. A total of 12 travellers were detected with e-vaporisers and smokeless tobacco during the operations.

14. It is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and smokeless tobacco products under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. If convicted, offenders are liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for 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

15. Safeguarding Singapore’s borders is ICA’s top priority. ICA will continue to conduct security checks and work with relevant authorities to detect and deter smuggling attempts, to keep Singapore safe.

SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
4 DECEMBER 2024 @ 4.20PM

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